Soldiers ‘capture’ 200 Boko Haram members

Nigerian soldiers have captured and de-radicalised more than 200 Boko Haram insurgents in Adamawa, the department of civil military affairs at the army headquarters said on Wednesday.

V O Ezugwu, commander of the 28 task force brigade in Mubi, made the disclosure at the opening of a two-day sensitisation programme on de-radicalisation held in Mubi, Adamawa.

“This brigade has rescued and de-radicalised over 200 Boko Haram insurgents from November 2014 to date,” he said.

“And the beneficiaries of this programme numbers in terms of thousands.”

According to the commander, military operations alone cannot provide a holistic solution to eradicating terrorism and insurgency in the country.

“There is need for a collaborative approach involving political, diplomatic, economic, timely information and other related lines of counter insurgency operation,” Ezugwu said.

He said the seminar was part of efforts by the Nigerian army high command to deepen collaboration with all stakeholders.

In his lecture on relationship between the military and civil populace, Victor Olatunji said the Nigerian army was committed to respect for human rights in the discharge of its responsibilities.

Olatunji said the army would not trample on the rights of any Nigerian, including captured Boko Haram insurgents.

He advised the participants to offer useful suggestions that will promote good relationship between the military and the civil populace for the benefit of all.