The Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa, says the Nigerian military will not allow the Islamic States West African Province, a foreign terrorist group, to have strong footing in Nigeria
Musa stated this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, in Maiduguri
He said that ISWAP terrorist group was a foreign terrorist organisation being sponsored by foreigners with some local collaborations, adding that the terrorists that were refusing to surrender belonged to ISWAP.
According to him, ISWAP is a foreign terrorist organisation that is funded by foreign individuals and probably some locals but mostly foreign and then they have foreign leadership which means they have not stake in Nigeria.
“It is very clear that ISWAP are foreigners coming to invade our country which we will never allow to happen.
“That is why I want to encourage those of them, especially those members that are with them to pull out and understand that they have no stake in what those guys are doing.
“They don’t wish the country well they don’t wish themselves well and we will never allow any foreigner step an inch on ground in Nigeria,” he said.
The theatre commander stated that the military had advised the governments on the need to adopt the system of involving the victims in dialogue on the handling of the surrendered terrorists.
He added that the government must ensure that the victims were not left out, saying that people should be assured that the proper processes would be followed without compromise.
According to him, some of the victims are military men, as the military has lost wonderful officers and soldiers.
So, for us to even accept them has been very difficult but professionally we are meant to do that.
“Once we have those windows and they are working we are meant to ensure that we arrest them bring them in and then the nation will take its proper cause through constitution and that is what is going to happen.
“We want them to agree to understand fully that Operation Hadin Kai is just doing its own bit and the military operation is just one line of operation which is about 20 per cent while the remaining 80 per cent has to do with diplomacy, humanitarian, justice, rule of law and all these things.
“So, that is the stage we are in now,” he said.
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Musa disclosed that the terrorists were being secured separately, adding that they were not going to be released just like that.
He said that the profiling of the surrendered terrorists was being carried out by the Defence Intelligence Agency, DSS and other security agencies.
According to him, everybody that has anything to do is also checking, we have also invited the National Identity Management Agency who are taking the profiles of everybody.
“They take the thumb and pictures and so, even after this, we know what they are doing, we know where they are and know where he goes to.
“This goes to show you that we are taking the proper procedure and nobody is going to be compromised,” he said.
It was earlier reported that, Mr Musa was handed over the mantle of leadership at a ceremony by the Acting Theatre Commander, Felix Omoigui, a major general.
The new Theatre Commander for the Joint Task Force Operation Hadin Kai, Christopher Musa, a major general, on Friday assumed duty in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Musa’s appointment followed the elevation of the former Theatre Commander, Farouq Yahaya, as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
Mr Musa was handed over the mantle of leadership at a ceremony by the Acting Theatre Commander, Felix Omoigui, a major general.
Speaking to journalists, Mr Musa called for support and understanding of all stakeholders in the fight against insurgency, which he said required regular strategic reviews.
“Asymmetric warfare like Boko Haram is a continuous war. It is evolving and we have to also evolve in our approach,” Mr Musa said.
The commander also solicited the support of the media in the counter-insurgency operation.
He pledged to maintain openness in his leadership of the newly reconstituted military Joint Task Force.
