The Nigerian Army has raised an alarm over the massive recruitment drive of the Islamic State of West African Province terrorist group (ISWAP) to replace repentant members.
Army Spokesman, Brig. Gen. Onyeama Nwachukwu, disclosed this on Sunday during a tour of the headquarters of the Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai Maimalari, in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Tracknews Online reports that some repentant ISWAP and Boko Haram members alongside their family members have surrendered their arms and ammunition to the Nigerian military.
According to Nwachukwu, ISWAP has been depleted by the surrendering of its members and are now looking for ways to recruit new members into its fold.
He, however, urged members of the public to be observant and begged the media to help in blocking the recruitment drive by sensitizing residents in the Northern region.
Nwachukwu stated that the military would not relent in its fight against terrorism, adding that the fight against insurgency had recorded some success.
He said: “I will like to mention that the ISWAP, very recently, having been depleted by the surrendering of their member, as well as and conflict between them, they have embarked on what I will call a massive recruitment drive and I consider it very important to engage the media to block this recruitment.
“The Boko Haram insurgents have been surrendering. People have questioned the authenticity of the surrendering of these insurgents and why they are surrendering at this time.
“There are also the questions on the reintegration of these insurgents. Another question is what the plight of the victims of the insurgency is.
“That is the essence of this tour. The military is not resting on its oars in the fight to end insurgency and insecurity in the country
“At some point, the insurgents almost took over the three state capitals of Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe in the North-East. Some three years back, Boko Haram was advancing towards the Federal Capital Territory. Today they have been boxed into the Timbuktu.”
