The army has evolved new strategies to tackle attacks on civilians, a commander said. Islamist Boko Haram fighters who lay their arms and surrender will be not be killed, the Nigerian military has said. The 21 Armoured Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri on Sunday said the unit had introduced new measures to counter the Islamists’ bloody attacks on civilians in Borno state.
The acting Commander of the brigade, Col. Ibrahim Yusuf, made the disclosure at a news conference in Maiduguri. He said the army was willing to give safe passage to members of the sect who wanted to quit. "I want to assure you that we will give safe passage to members of the sect, including foot soldiers who are ready to surrender,” he said.
“Those involved can either surrender themselves at any military outpost or go to their ward or district head. Let me say again that all those who surrendered will not be killed but will be given safe passage.” He said the army was doing everything possible to ensure that no civilian was attacked by Boko Haram in the state.
The Islamists have recently targeted civilians in Borno and Yobe states more than before they were pushed out of the Borno state capital, Maiduguri. More than 200 civilians-mainly travellers- have been massacred by the group in the past weeks.
The Brigade commander, Col Yusuf said the rising attacks on travellers and villagers by Boko Haram militants was as a result of frustration. “Most times, the Boko Haram members go to remote villages to kill innocent civilians in cold blood because they have been frustrated by the army. They cannot operate in the open, so they vent their anger on innocent civilians,” he said.
Mr Yusuf said the military was equal to the task, and dismissed the recent attacks as signs of “weakness”. We are also evolving strategies to make sure that we prevent future attacks, no matter how small.
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