Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, the Theatre Commander for Operation Hadin Kai, says the Nigerian military will not allow the Islamic States West African Province, a foreign terrorist group, to establish a strong foothold in Nigeria.
This was stated by Musa in a news conference on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
He claimed that the ISWAP terrorist group was a foreign terrorist organization with some local collaborations, and that the terrorists who refused to surrender were members of ISWAP.
ISWAP, he claims, is a foreign terrorist organization that is funded by foreign individuals and possibly some locals, but mostly by foreigners, and that has foreign leadership, implying that they have no ties to Nigeria.
Read Also: Killings: Plateau needs assistance – NCPC’s boss
“It is clear that ISWAP is a group of foreigners attempting to infiltrate our country, which we will never allow.
“That is why I want to encourage those of them who are with them, particularly those who are members of their group, to pull out and understand that they have no stake in what those guys are doing.
“They don’t wish the country well, and they don’t wish themselves well, and we will never allow any foreigner to set foot on Nigerian soil,” he stated.
According to the theater commander, the military has advised governments on the importance of implementing a system that involves victims in discussions about how to deal with surrendered terrorists.
Read Also: Banditry: In Katsina, eight village chiefs abandon their domains in search of safety
He went on to say that the government must ensure that the victims are not forgotten, and that the public should have confidence that the proper procedures will be followed without fail.
Some of the victims, he claims, are military men, as the military has lost outstanding officers and soldiers.
“It’s been difficult for us to even accept them, but it’s what we’re supposed to do professionally.
“Once we have those windows and they are functional, we are supposed to make sure that we arrest them and bring them in, and then the nation will pursue its proper cause through the constitution, which is exactly what will happen.
“We want them to understand that Operation Hadin Kai is only doing its part, and that the military operation is only about 20% of the operation, while the remaining 80% is about diplomacy, humanitarian aid, justice, the rule of law, and all of these things.
“So, that’s where we’re at right now,” he explained.
Musa revealed that the terrorists were being held separately and that they would not be released immediately.
He claimed that the Defence Intelligence Agency, the DSS, and other security agencies were profiling the surrendered terrorists.
Read Also: NEMA flags off distribution of emergency agric inputs for S’West farmers
According to him, everyone who has anything to do with it is checking, and we’ve also invited the National Identity Management Agency, which is collecting everyone’s profiles.
“They take the thumb and photographs, so we know what they are doing, where they are, and where he goes even after this.
“This just goes to show you that we’re following protocol and no one’s safety is in jeopardy,” he said.
Join Television Nigerian Whatsapp Now
Join Television Nigerian Facebook Now
Join Television Nigerian Twitter Now
Join Television Nigerian YouTUbe Now