Nigerian military issues third “final” warming to Boko Haram

The latest warning is third in the series of “final” warnings the military has issued and it came as President Muhammadu Buhari’s dateline to rid the country of insurgents approaches.

President Buhari had ordered the military high command to clear the country of the last vestiges of Boko Haram by December.

But PREMIUM TIMES can authoritatively report that similar warnings in the past failed to create any effect on the country’s war against insurgency.

In each of such warnings, the military high command threatened to deal decisively with the insurgents if they do not desist from launching attacks on the country and or hand themselves in.

The latest warning, signed by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Sani Usman, is not different from similar warnings issued in the past.

“This is to finally warn all Boko Haram terrorists wherever they are, to desist from all acts of terrorism, surrender themselves and face the law now,” the Tuesday warning reads in part.

“We wish to inform them that we are aware of all their hideouts, camps and enclaves.

“They should follow their colleagues who have so far surrendered. Failure to surrender will result in serious consequences as our troops have closed up with them.

“We equally appeal to members of the international community and the world at large, to kindly persuade Boko Haram terrorists and their international collaborators to desist from acts of terrorism and renounce their membership of the terrorist organization forthwith.

“They should also immediately and unconditionally release all abducted persons in their custody including the Chibok school girls.”

On October 11, the Nigerian Military had issued a similar warning which was published by this newspaper.

The statement containing the warning was signed by Mr. Usman, the acting director of army public relations.

It read, “This is to once again warn all Boko Haram terrorists wherever they are, to desist from all acts of terrorism, surrender themselves and face the law now.

“We wish to inform them that we are aware of all their hideouts, camps and enclaves. They should follow their colleagues who have so far surrendered.

“Failure to surrender will result in serious consequences as the troops are fast closing up on them.”

The military had also appealed to Nigerians to persuade the insurgents to desist from their acts and renounce their membership of the terrorist organisation forthwith.

None of the warnings issued by the military has so far succeeded in stemming the attacks by the insurgents.