Amb. Comrade Ibe Hails Troops Over ISWAP Financial Operator’s Surrender

The President General of the Orashi National Congress, ONC, Ambassador Comrade Emeni Ibe, JP, AP, has hailed Nigerian troops for the recent surrender of an ISWAP financial operator and several other terrorists in Borno State, describing it as a welcome development in the fight against insurgency.

In a statement, Amb. Ibe said the surrender followed sustained land and air offensives by troops of Operation HADIN KAI against terrorist enclaves in the North East.

The ONC PG referenced a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.

“It was cheering to read Captain Mohammed Goni say that the suspect surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route,” Amb. Ibe said.

He added that “about 46 terrorists and their family members had also surrendered in recent days following sustained land and air offensives against terrorist enclaves.”

Amb. Ibe urged the Federal Government to ensure proper profiling and interrogation of those who surrendered to extract actionable intelligence.

“Apart from detailed profiling and interrogation to obtain actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and aid efforts to dismantle the remaining terrorist networks across the North East, the Federal Government must ensure that they take steps that will continue to encourage and boost the morale of our troops in the battlefield,” he said.

The ONC leader expressed caution over proposals for amnesty for repentant terrorists and bandits, warning that it could demoralize troops.

“Honestly, I don’t subscribe to the idea of amnesty for ‘repentant’ bandits or terrorists. I believe it is demoralizing for our troops. It cannot be guaranteed that the so-called repentant elements will not continue, or give those in their enclaves information about our troops for further mayhem,” he stated.

Amb. Ibe further called on the Federal Government to prioritize the welfare of security personnel as a way of motivating them in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations.

“The welfare of our troops should equally be improved upon to serve as motivation,” he said.

The ONC reaffirmed its support for the Armed Forces and called on Nigerians to continue to pray for and cooperate with security agencies to restore lasting peace across the country.