We will keep pushing harder against insurgents, says Theatre Commander

He stated this while addressing reporters from Abuja, who were on a media tour to Maiduguri on the progress made in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast.

Musa said the theatre of operation had sustained tempo of its operations to force out the Boko Haram and Islamic States West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists from the zone.

He said tremendous achievements had been recorded since the assumption of office by Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya and his own appointment as the theatre commander.

According to him, the operation started in 2009 and any operation that lasts more than a decade, there is a serious issue to it.

“It is the intention of the chief of army staff to see that we put an end to the menace. A lot of innocent lives have been lost and developmentally, the region has gone backwards many years and it will take a long time before it can recover,’’ he said.

The theatre commander solicited media and citizens support, especially the locals to make it difficult for the terrorists to operate, adding that media and locals were important factors.

On the issue of surrendering, he attributed the development to the prayers of Nigerians, saying that the development looked like part of divine intervention.

“Some of the surrendered insurgents will tell you they don’t even understand how they are surrendering and coming out in droves,” he observed.

Musa, who acknowledged the apprehension of people over the development, assured Nigerians that the surrendered terrorists would be properly handled.

“I know there will be apprehension definitely but we are not taking anything for granted; we remain focused.

“Part of our training and part of our laws in rules of engagements is that even when you are fighting somebody and he surrenders, you cannot shoot him and when you get him, you have to treat him well and you will give him shelter just like any other person.”