Professor Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno state, says over 90,000 members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) have surrendered in the last one year.
The governor, while speaking at an event organised on the margins of the 77th UN General Assembly in New York, said the terrorists voluntarily surrendered to the army for disarmament, de-radicalisation and reintegration.
Zulum said this has never happened anywhere in the world, and that insurgency is now coming to an end.
“I want to bring to the notice of this gathering that within the last one year, Borno State government, and indeed the federal government has so far received over 90,000 repentant Boko Haram and ISWAP members,” he said.
“This has never happened anywhere in the world. In the history of the world, the insurgency is coming to an end. I’ve started seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Peace to the ettire north east subregion entails peace to the entire Europe, peace to the entire Europe means to the entire world.
The governor, while commending President Muhammadu Buhari said, 22 LGAs out of the 27 in the state were under the control of Boko Haram insurgents before Buhari came into office.
He said but today, none of of the LGAs is under the control of the insurgents.
“The Borno state government with the support of the federal government, and indeed, the entire UN family has strengthened the resilience of the community,” he said.
“And that has ensured peace building social cohesion, and sustainable development in the entire north east sub region of Nigeria.
“The nexus between peace, security and development need not to be over emphasised. If there is no peace, there will be no security. And if there is no security, there is no development.
“I’m glad to inform you that the president has also inaugurated the committee for the repatriation of all Nigerians that are living in the Republic of Chad, Cameroon, as well as Niger. And to this effect funding have been approved. And before the expiration of the tenure, we shall ensure complete repatriations of all the Nigerians that are living in other countries.”
In an interview in August, Christopher Musa, commander of operation Hadin Kai, had said the insurgents were surrendering because they want to live normal lives.
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