Nigerian Army has come under intense criticism for embracing Boko Haram terrorists who slaughtered innocent Nigerians over the years.
The terrorists, it is alleged, have killed thousands, plundered properties and rendered many homeless and Internally Displaced Persons.
Oluwaseun, the widow of slain Ibrahim Sakaba, a lieutenant-colonel, has slammed the Nigerian Army for commending the 1,081 Boko Haram terrorists who purportedly surrendered in Bama, Borno State, on Monday.
In a statement on Monday, the army stated that a so-called bomb expert for the terrorist group known as Musa Adamu, a.k.a Mala Musa Abuja, and his second in command Usman Adamu, a.k.a Abu Darda, along with their families and followers surrendered to the troops of operation Hadin Kai in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.
Photos shared on the army’s social media page saw the surrendered terrorists display several placards with different inscriptions such as “Nigerians, please forgive us”, “surrender and live”, “surrender and be free”, among others.
The acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 OPHK, Brigadier General Abdulwahab Eyitayo had also said “their decision to drop their arms and come out is highly commendable, enjoining them to advise other terrorists to surrender and “embrace the new life of peace and rehabilitation.”
The surrendered terrorists and their families totalling 335 fighters, 746 adult women, and children were subsequently given new clothes “and assorted food items, groceries and toiletries.”
However, reacting in a post on her Instagram page, the widow of Mr Sakaba lambasted the army, just as she queried it on why the terrorists should be forgiven.
She also accused the army of pretense and not paying the dues of her late husband.
“@hqnigerianarmy it we (sic) never be well with all of you…I should forgive them for making me a young widow, I should forgive them for killing my husband, his brother and his mom!! I should forgive them for making me seek shelter in another country,” she wrote on Instagram.
Mr Sakaba died alongside 117 other soldiers in November 2018, after Boko Haram insurgents attacked a Nigerian Army battalion in Borno State.
After his death, he was hailed by colleagues for his leadership at the Nigerian Army 157 Task Force Battalion in Metele.
Also reacting, Reno Omokri, a former Presidential aide to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to photos of surrendered Boko Haram members seeking for forgiveness from Nigerians.
Reacting to the photos via his Instagram page, Reno wrote; ”The Buhari administration shared photos of so called repentant Boko Haram terrorists and asked Nigerians to forgive them.
‘’Does it make sense to ask Nigerians to forgive people who have killed innocent Nigerians when the Buhari government wants to prosecute Sunday Igboho for protecting the same innocent Nigerians?
‘’Why should we forgive killers and prosecute defenders? Is it because these killers are Northern Muslims like Buhari and Igboho is not? I am not understanding! How many people has Buhari himself forgiven? Has he forgiven Dasuki? Buhari that killed innocent peaceful #EndSARS protesters at #LekkiMassacre?
‘’They even bought provisions and drinks for them. Imagine! In fact, I doubt that that sign was written by these mostly illiterate Boko Haramists. Forgive who? Tufiakwa!”
