Military Distances Itself from Granting Amnesty to Surrendered Terrorists and Bandits
Military Distances Itself from Granting Amnesty to Surrendered Terrorists and Bandits
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that the responsibility for granting amnesty to terrorists and bandits who surrender does not lie with the military but with other arms of government.
This clarification was made during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, in response to reports that some bandit leaders in Katsina State had released hostages in exchange for amnesty.
Kangye explained that while such developments may be linked to the successes of ongoing military operations, offering amnesty is not within the mandate of the armed forces.
“Amnesty is not what we do. We operate strictly based on our rules of engagement and operational directives,” he said. “If arrests are made during our operations and amnesty is being considered, it is up to the relevant government bodies to make that decision after reviewing each case on its own merit.”
Addressing a separate issue, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, responded to concerns over the continued detention of leaders from the Okuama community in Delta State.
He stated that the DHQ had not received any formal court order regarding their release.
“If such a court injunction exists, we haven’t received it. Once we do, our legal team will review and advise us on the next steps,” he said.
Gusau also noted that the military had not received any formal visitation requests regarding the detainees, saying, “There is a due process to follow. If that process is followed, the Defence Headquarters will respond appropriately.”
The community leaders were arrested following the deadly ambush on March 14 in Okuama, which claimed the lives of 17 soldiers, including four officers.
The incident, which occurred during a peacekeeping mission, was met with widespread outrage across the country.
Highlighting military successes in June, Kangye revealed that troops had eliminated several high-profile terrorist leaders, arrested over 1,100 suspects, and rescued more than 500 kidnapped victims. He said 682 terrorists and their families also surrendered within the period.
Among those neutralized were key figures such as Amir Abu Fatimah, Kinging Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Mallam Jidda, and a notorious bandit known as Yellow Danbokkolo, who died from injuries sustained in a recent encounter with troops.
The military also reported significant arrests, including known arms dealers and kidnappers like Buhari Umar, Hassan Mohammed, Saleh Sani, and Shittu Muazu Bakassi.
In the Niger Delta, troops under Operation DELTA SAFE disrupted oil theft operations estimated at over ₦3.5 billion.
Recovered items included over 2.3 million litres of stolen crude oil and more than 600,000 litres of illegally refined diesel. Soldiers also destroyed 174 illegal refining sites and confiscated 45 vehicles involved in the illicit trade.
Kangye reaffirmed the military’s commitment to securing the country through both kinetic and non-kinetic means, while urging continued public support for ongoing operations.
