Nigerians are reacting angrily to news that the Federal Government plans to release perceived repentant Boko Haram Terrorists back into society.
The Federal Government announced that 602 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram Terrorists had switched allegiance to Nigeria on Monday.
They denounced their membership of Boko Haram before an 11-man Quasi Judicial Panel headed by Justice Nehizena Afolabi, of the Federal High Court, Gombe.
Nigerians are however angry at the development which has come on the heels of deadly Boko Haram attacks against civilians and Military personnel.
See Also: Boko Haram Storm Maiduguri, Attack Military Barracks
Just last week, more than 20 Special Forces soldiers were killed when their convoy was ambushed by Boko Haram Terrorists using IEDs.
While the Nigerian Army said they killed a substantial number of terrorists in a counter attack, the loss of men and materiel to a group which the Army claims is technically defeated is painful to the average Nigerian.
Boko Haram Terrorists also attacked Maiduguri on Monday night, one day after the anniversary of the fifth year of the Military Service Chiefs in office.
The terrorists surrounded the 333 artillery barracks overnight and engaged our soldiers in a fierce gun duel, several kilometres from the Airforce base in Maiduguri.
Earlier, some soldiers were ambushed and killed on the road between Maiduguri and Damaturu.
Nigerians on social media wondered why the Federal Government would embark on an amnesty program for individuals who are not repentant in their actions by killing and abducting Nigerians both civilian and military.
Boko Haram and it’s affiliates have waged a war of attrition on Nigeria and its people without remorse for the last 12 years.
This is why many Nigerians are not comfortable with the idea of amnesty for members of an actively armed non-state aggressor.
Nigerians have repeatedly decried the fact that no Boko Haram terrorist has officially been tried and executed within the full extent of Nigerian Law.
Instead, President Buhari has embarked on an amnesty programme for terrorists who are still wielding arms against the Nigerian State.
The United States issued a visa Ban on Nigerians partly because of the Boko Haram amnesty programme of President Buhari. While many international Governments have designated Nigeria as friendly to terrorist groups.
Taking to social media, Nigerians lamented the release of the 602 Boko Haram terrorists as memories of relatives, friends, brothers and sisters killed in cold blood by these Terrorist came to mind.
According to a social media user, Mola;
“Your country people kept them in rehab where they have been feeding fat on taxpayers money after killing, raping many Nigerians.”
Other Nigerians asked why soldiers should keep fighting the terrorists if the Federal Government will release them back to society.
What's Really The Point Fighting And Sometimes Arresting Boko Haram Terrorists When The Government Readily Returns Them To Continue Their Carnage Where They Stopped?
— Nsikan (@Nsidem) July 14, 2020
Check out other reactions below;
https://twitter.com/nee_dles/status/1282920942847524864?s=19
What baffles me is those killing these soldiers and causing sorrow to thier families are now repentant Boko Haram. Hmmm!
— Donsteve17 (@stephenoluwaso1) July 14, 2020
It's just sad that FG is passively in support of Boko Haram. I don't just know what to say. Fine, they are prisoners of war, but how can they be released when the battle isn't over. Who does that? I'm just tired.
— Leonidas 1 (@peter_durojaye) July 14, 2020
600+ Boko Haram members have just been released back into society in the name of Repent Terrorists but it's Adeboye's marriage issues that's giving y'all erections this morning. Nigeria youths we are not even ready
— Verre de Vin🍷 (@Tivere11) July 14, 2020
There is something fishy about the fight against Boko Haram: Soldiers die capturing Boko Haram fighters; the state, claiming repentance or change of allegiance by the fighters, releases them back into the society. These are treasonable felons. What's going on here?
— Emmanuel Eze (@emmaieze) July 14, 2020
Gave terrorists mosquito nets? 🤦🙆 Corp members aren't even given this VIP treatment.
Lowkey, Boko Haram>>> NYSC https://t.co/JVzrOxLxNd
— RIQUEZA (@Iyun_Riqueza) July 14, 2020
They're killing our soldiers but our government is dishing oath of allegiance to Boko Haram members like they're potential Corp members. Idiots
— Khanky (@Jetionz) July 14, 2020
These clown looking monkey don't even look like someone who can handle a riffle not to talk of planting a bomb.. If boko Haram are like this and @HQNigerianArmy cannot smoke them out then its a big shame on them
— TheSenator (@TheSena85193495) July 14, 2020
Awesome!
Your country will jail you for flouting lockdown rules but these Boko Haram insurgents that have killed and maimed thousands will be pardoned tomorrow because they are termed repentant. https://t.co/qZMOiwB7Eq
— Olóṣèlú àgbáyé PhD. (@mastermynd101) July 14, 2020
Nigeria is just doing 'catch and release' with Boko Haram.
What intel have they gotten from those captured and how has it helped the fight against the group?
Yet people wonder why soldiers keep resigning from the force.
— Baldilocks (@Baldilocks__) July 14, 2020
As per “I promise never to carry bomb or i will be faithful to Nigeria my country “
Same Boko Haram that bombed Nigerian soldiers yesterday! People endanger their lives only for you people to release the people causing havoc?! All in the name of RePeNtANT 😒 https://t.co/kvMryIAoZI
— April 💞 (@emoshoke_) July 14, 2020
Get out of Nigeria while you still can.
A country that will jail someone who broke lockdown to look for food for their family yet free Boko Haram members that have killed and maimed thousands is a ticking timebomb. https://t.co/Jhuec0GEnS
— Baldilocks (@Baldilocks__) July 14, 2020
”Fighters from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) faction split from the main Boko Haram group in 2016 and have become a dominant force.” – AFP
North Nigeria breeds terrorism as a culture
The norm is alien to Biafrans#BiafraExit @StateDept
— Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (@MaziNnamdiKanu) July 14, 2020