Abdulmalik Biu, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, has declared that any Boko Haram or ISWAP fighter who genuinely surrenders, drops his weapon and renounces violence will be completely forgiven and fully reintegrated into society with no ceiling on what they can achieve, including rising to the highest office in the land.
Speaking at the re-integration ceremonies for 49 repentant insurgents in Maiduguri yesterday, Gen Biu stated: Once you pass through deradicalisation , rehabilitation and reintegration, you are a free citizen like every one of us.
The sky is your limit. You can become anything, governor, senator, minister, even President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria one day. There is no discrimination.
The moment you drop your weapon and embrace peace, you are forgiven 100%.”The senior officer stressed that the non-kinetic approach remains a key pillar of the counter-insurgency strategy under President Bola Tinubu, adding that over 150,000 insurgents and their families have surrendered since the intensified call began in 2021.
Many of them are now living normal lives, doing businesses, farming, and contributing to society. Some are even in university,” he said.
Gen Biu’s remarks come just days after ISWAP’s brutal execution of Brigadier General Musa Uba and amid renewed military offensives in Sambisa Forest and the Lake Chad axis.
Military sources say the amnesty offer is designed to exploit divisions within the terror groups and encourage mass defections.
However, the statement has sparked fierce debate. Victims’ groups and civil society organisations in the North-East condemned it as insensitive, arguing that thousands of families are still grieving loved ones slaughtered by the same insurgents now being promised presidential eligibility.
On social media, reactions ranged from outrage So a mass murderer can become our president tomorrow? to cautious support If it ends the war faster, why not?”).
The Nigerian Army has defended the policy, insisting that international best practices in counter-insurgency including Colombia’s FARC peace deal and Rwanda’s post.genocide reconciliation show that generous reintegration packages are the fastest way to end prolonged terrorism.
For now, the military says the surrender hotlines remain open 24/7, and more repentant fighters are expected to lay down arms before the December 31 deadline for the current phase of Operation Safe Corridor.