NIGERIAN military commanders have now fully integrated the repentant 602 Boko Haram fighters into the army after they took an oath of allegiance the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the Borno State capital Maiduguri.
Under a programme known as Operation Safe Corridor, Boko Haram fighters are being granted an amnesty if they lay down their arms. As part of the programme, hundreds of them are being recruited into the military, where it is believed that their knowledge of the terrain will assist the Nigerian Army in defeating Boko Haram.
Earlier this week, the repentant fighters were administered the oath after undergoing a de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme at the at Mallam Sidi Camp in Borno State. They were administered the oath before an 11-member quasi-judicial panel, after which they became fully integrated into the Nigerian military.
Major General John Enenche, the Nigerian Defence Headquarters spokesman, said the implication is that if they commit any offence, they stand to forfeit all privileges and will be liable for offence against the state. This is the second such batch of former militants pardoned under the Operation Safe Corridor programme.
He added: “It is heart-warming to state that Operation Safe Corridor has successfully coordinated the DRR programme for 882 ex Boko Haram members including the 280 earlier graduated. Thus, the message here is clear to others out there to surrender and be profiled accordingly for the DRR privilege.”
