In a bid to curtail the constant killings and kidnapping by terrorists across the country, the Nigerian Army has called on Boko Haram and Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) to come out an seek forgiveness and reconciliation, saying soldiers and the public are not happy as people are dying daily.
The Army made the reconciliation call in a statement by General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. A.A. Eyitayo, at a feast organized for journalists by the army in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Eyitayo, who is also the commander of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, noted that the recent military onslaught against the insurgents dealt a decisive blow on the terrorists leaving their remnants in disarray.!
He added that no one, including the military, was happy with the bloodshed, calling on the remnants of the terrorist organisation to take advantage of the amnesty and repent without further delay.
Eyitayo said, “We are not here for bloodletting, no one is happy that people are dying. Some of them (the insurgents) listen to the media, so it is good for us to appeal to them through the media to avoid violence, come forward to ask for forgiveness and reconciliation.”
Speaking further at the event, he encourage the media, and appreciate their contributions towards the fight against insurgency, while encouraging them to help the insurgents to see the light and repent from their wasteful ventures.
Eyitayo explained that their invention behind the feast that was organized was basically to stow great appreciation to the Nigerian Media, through the journalists who were present of course, for their reportage of the military activities in the state.
He added, “For the past three months since I assumed duty in Maiduguri in this capacity, there has never been any bad report. This is to appreciate the media for positive reportage.”
Recall that in recent time, more than 30,000 Nigerians have been killed while over three million are displaced in the North East by Boko Haram terrorists, the terrorist organisation also has many Nigerians held in their custody.
On April 14, 2014, a total of 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped from their school in Chibok. With 164 reunited to their families, 112 are still in captivity and many of them reportedly married off by the terrorists.
Also, on February 19, 2018, 110 schoolgirls of 11-19 years old were kidnapped from Government Girls’ Science Secondary School in Dapchi, Bulabutin, Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Five of the girls died on the same day and all others were released in March 2018 except Leah Sharibu, a Christian girl who refused to renounce her faith.
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