Nigerian Military Says Over 14,000 Boko Haram Fighters Have Surrendered So Far
The fighters are part of the over 70,000 persons associated with Boko Haram who have fled to government-controlled areas in the past months.
The Nigerian Military has disclosed that only 14,609 fighters make up the 70,593 persons that have fled Boko Haram sanctuaries in the past months and surrendered to authorities in Borno state, Northeast Nigeria.
“14,609 were active male fighters, 20,955 were women, and 35,029 were children,” according to the commander of the counterinsurgency force in the region, Major General Chris Musa.
The Army General stated that the military and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation had commenced “reviewing of cases of detainees at the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC)”.
HumAngle understands that the centre is responsible for investigating and screening defectors and recommending subsequent actions from authorities.
Major General Musa also revealed that the Borno state government was making alternative arrangements for more camps to accommodate the defectors.
The military had previously raised concerns about the swelling number of people that surrendered to authorities, a development that has stretched three of the holding facilities.
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