Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted angrily to the appeal by the Nigerian Army for Boko Haram and other insurgents to drop their weapons and repent.
The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expressed disappointment that the Army could resort to begging terrorists whom he described as murderers and killers.
It will be recalled that the general officer commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Nigerian Army, A A Eyitayo, had asked Boko Haram terrorists to drop their arms and surrender.
Brigadier-General Eyitao stated this on Sunday at an event organized for journalists by the army in Maiduguri, Borno state capital.
According to the Army commander, the insurgents are in disarray because of the continued bombardment by troops of the Nigerian military.
He asked the insurgents to take advantage of the opportunity to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.
“We are not here for bloodletting, nobody is happy that people are dying.
“Some of them (insurgents) are listening to the media so it is good for us to appeal to them through the media to shun violence, turn up to seek forgiveness and reconciliation,” he said.
But reacting to the commander’s statement, Fani-Kayode wrote on Twitter: “Nigerian Army BEGS Boko Haram, ISWAP terrorists for reconciliation.
“Since when has the Nigerian Army resorted to begging murderers, killers and terrorists? How are the mighty fallen!” he tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) has released a staff of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Abubakar Garba Idris, and nine others.
Naija News learned that UN staff was abducted by the insurgents on Maiduguri/Damaturu highway and spent about five months in hostage.
Recall that the insurgents attacked a convoy of travellers close to Matari village between Mainok to Jakana along Maiduguri/Damaturu highway where Idris was abducted at about 8.30 am Saturday, January 2, 2021.
The insurgents were alleged to have dressed in military uniforms mounted a roadblock on the highway with three Hilux vans and motorcycles.
It was revealed that Idris got into trouble when he tried to throw away his Identification card and he was sighted by one of the insurgents and kidnapped.
This platform understands that Idris is currently undergoing medical and military checks with troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri before he would be released to his family.
Also, a businessman Muazu Bawa who was also kidnapped on that same day was also released along with eight other captives.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News