We were brainwashed, say repentant Boko Haram terrorists

Four Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered to the troops of the Nigerian Army in Goniri, Borno State, saying they were brainwashed by terrorist leaders to commit heresy against Islam and to take up arms against the army.

One of our correspondents learnt that the terrorists on Monday emerged from a desert and surrendered to troops of 120 Task force Battalion in Goniri.

According to the army, one of the four terrorists is a high-profile member identified as Konto Fanami, who led Boko Haram terrorists operating along Ajigin-Talala-Mungusum road.

During interrogation, Fanami said, “We abandoned the terrorists because of incessant hardship. We realised we were being misled by the leaders. We were erroneously informed and brainwashed about Islam, the military and the society in general.”

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Sani Usman, said the military wished that other terrorists would surrender to the troops as “humane treatment” would be given to them.

He said, “We call on those remnants of Boko Haram terrorists to follow suit and renounce the devilish creed. Adequate arrangement has been made to receive all those who voluntarily renounce terrorism and surrender themselves. They will be treated humanely.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations and National Emergency Management Agency are collaborating to create awareness and stem cases of sexual violence at internally displaced persons camps.

The two bodies, towards reducing the vulnerability of women/girls in camps and non-camp locations, have organised a four-day capacity-building workshop on strengthening state response to sexual and gender-based violence in humanitarian setting with the theme, ‘Needs and justification in addressing gender-based violence in humanitarian situations.’

At the commencement of the workshop, attended by participants from security and humanitarian agencies in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the DG of NEMA, Mr. Mustapha Maihaja, said the support of the agency and partners had reduced instances of sexual abuse in IDPs camps.