ABUJA, THE Nigerian military has disputed reports it has hired reformed Boko Haram terrorists.

This follows trending video footage on television where one Balhatu Musa Ezekiel claimed the Nigeria Army had recruited the de-redicalised ex-fighters into its ranks and therefore recycling insurgency.

The Defence Headquarters wishes to unambiguously state that Balhatu’s claims are not only bereft of truth, but laced with mediocrity emanating from poorly researched and uninformed position, said Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Defence spokesperson.

Members of the public are therefore enjoined to please discountenance the misinformation and misguided views peddled by Balhatu Musa Ezekiel, as it constitutes outright aberration of extant recruitment procedures and practice of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

The defence spokesman disclosed that more than 250 repentant insurgents who surrendered to the troops had been de-radicalised, rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society by respective state governments in conjunction with traditional and religious institutions.

The de-radicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme is a Federal Government initiative conducted under the auspices of Operation Safe Corridor.

Nwachukwu said the operation was successful thus far.

No adverse report has been recorded against the de-radicalized repentant ex-fighters by Operation Safe Corridor’s monitoring unit. There has not been report of molestation or harassment of any sort against them by members of the communities, where they are resettled.

The Boko Haram is engaged in a violent campaign to overthrow the Nigerian government.

The conflict has spilled into neighbouring countries of Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

Source: CAJ News Agency