Jutha Gupah, Maiduguri
The repentant Boko Haram commander, Adamu Rugurugu has called on terrorists to lay down their arms and surrender to the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the terrorists’ surrender to the Army could end the counter-insurgency operations to restore peace in the Northeast.
A counter-insurgency expert, in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, yesterday (Tuesday), in Maiduguri, disclosed that Rugurugu had risen to the rank of War Commander, a Counsellor and Adviser for Boko Haram leaders.
He said that the repentant terrorists, spent 10 years fighting for the Boko Haram sect.
Besides, he added that he was also among the first set of people to accept the amnesty window by the Federal Government, which has restored relative peace in the region.
Rugurugu’s words: “I am the man popularly referred to as Malam Adamu Rugurugu, I want to call on those of you (Boko Haram/ISWAP) that are still hibernating in the forest.
“We have been sending messages to you to come back. As I am talking to you, I have spent over two years now and nothing has happened to me except living in peace.
“Everyone has attested to that including the people living in the Moronti Community in Maiduguri metropolis.”
He, therefore, warned the Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists still operating in the Sambisa Forest.
“So, what are you still doing, (in the forest)? You should come out,” he pleaded the terrorists.
Besides, he noted that ISWAP that is telling you that they are with you, is lying all of you in that forest.
According to him; “ISWAP came and met us in the Forest and told us that they will not touch us and that we should practice the same religion.
“So, if it is something that has to do with religion, then why are you killing yourselves? You are no longer going out to fight wars in other places, you are now waging wars against yourselves.
“If what you are doing is true, then why are you now killing those people that you claimed are part of you? Is this not pure hypocrisy?” he asked.
“Now everybody has understood that this thing (Boko Haram) is not about religion.
“Leave whatever that you are doing either you are ISWAP, or Boko Haram or whatever you are, come back and join us to live in peace under the safe roof.
“Come back and reunite with your parents and live in peace.”
He said that all the killings that is currently going on now is only targeting at big fighters, militant businessmen.
He noted that terrorists will become a target when they have money and doing business in the Forest including invested in the livestock business.
“You will not spend more than two weeks before you will get killed,” he warned.
He stated that this is the type of killings that are currently taking place.
“If they say this is a Commander, who possessed some qualities or education, they will just go and kill him,” he further warned.
According to him, all the killings that the terrorists are doing against each other has nothing to do with religion.
He added that the purpose of the Boko Haram sect; was not built on a foundation of truth.
He, therefore, urged them to come out so that they can all live peacefully.
“The Federal and State governments have accepted us, while the people living in various communities have accepted that we can live in peace,” he assured.
End.
