The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has disclosed that more than 60,000 of the 120,000 Boko Haram terrorists who surrendered to the Nigerian military were children.
General Musa revealed this while speaking on Arise News Channel’s breakfast programme, ‘The Morning Show’, on Monday morning, monitored by our correspondent.
He explained that the insurgents surrendered due to the military’s successful efforts to cut off their resources, including food and funding.
“The 120,000 were not captured; they surrendered because we were able to deny them access to certain things—getting funds, getting food. We gave them the window that if you come, we will take you in,” he said.
He further explained that those who surrendered were thoroughly profiled in collaboration with state governors, the Department Of State Service (DSS), the police, and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). According to him, the process identified active terrorists, who were then separated from others.
“Not everyone who was part of it was a terrorist. Some were conscripted, some forced, while others were enslaved. So, we were able to separate those ones,” General Musa explained.
The Defence Chief highlighted the alarming trend of Boko Haram militants using women to create a new generation of fighters, with over 60,000 children surrendering to the military.
“In the past, they would capture communities and force adult men to join them. If you refused, they would behead you. But now, since they don’t have territory, they impregnate women to produce a new set of terrorists,” he explained.
He expressed concern that children raised in such an environment could become desensitised to violence.
“Those kids, growing up in a society where killing, beheading, and inhuman activities are rampant, will lack empathy and sympathy. That’s why we are happy these 60,000 children have surrendered,” the Defence Chief stated.
General Musa emphasised that surrendered terrorists were undergoing different processes based on their roles in the insurgency.
“The main actors are going through deradicalisation and investigation. Those found culpable will be tried, and the Attorney General has been prosecuting them,” he noted.
Those cleared of wrongdoing, according to him, were sent to Operation Safe Haven in Gombe State for deradicalisation and skill acquisition programmes.
He also pointed out the underlying issues fueling terrorism, including poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and bad governance.
“We must address unemployment, hunger, and illiteracy. Good governance is critical—local governments and state governors must work well. We need schools and infrastructure to remove illiteracy,” he said.
General Musa underscored the importance of working with Nigeria’s neighbours to tackle the insurgents who operate across borders.
“The commanders are living large across the borders in no-man’s-land between Nigeria and neighboring countries. That’s why we need to collaborate with these countries,” he said, adding that such cooperation would help ensure lasting peace in the region.
He also accused some individuals and groups of sabotaging the fight against terrorism, describing them as part of the problem.
“There are individuals making it seem like nothing is being done. Some are even discussing with the terrorists to continue their agenda of making Nigeria look unsafe,” he stated.
