TheCable

The National Coalition Against Terrorism (NCAT), a Civil Society Organisations (CSO),has advised Boko Haram insurgents to surrender to the military or risk being “crushed like biscuit bones”.

Addressing a rally in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state, Kuanum Terrence, national coordinator of the group, said the sponsors of Boko Haram should know that the north-east remains “unbroken and unbowed”.

He said that the responsibility of winning peace for the country laid with the citizens.

Terrence explained that the rally was aimed at sensitising the people that it was in their best interest to provide the military with information that will help capture fleeing Boko Haram members.

“The machination to make Nigeria into a failed state has collapsed and will never succeed irrespective of what part of the country they relocate their business of war mongering to,” he said.

“To the terrorists, we unequivocally say to them, surrender now or be crushed like biscuits bones by our soldiers.

“Not to be overlooked is the fact that we are using this event to send a clear message to the backers of terrorism and sponsors of Boko Haram that the north-east remains unbroken and unbowed.

“To our people and every other Nigerians, we say the responsibility of winning the peace for our country lies with us as citizens. There is nothing romantic or heroic about allowing evil people take over our country, whether they are acting as foreign agents or as local franchises that manifest as NGOs or masquerading as media.

“We must learn from Libya, Iraq, Syria and  Yemen, where they allowed foreign interference destroy their countries and today they have found out that those that helped destroy their countries are not willing to be their hosts.”

He commended the efforts of the military, and Kashim Shettima, Borno governor, for their efforts in the fight against terrorism.

“The general Buratai led Nigerian army, notably troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole, has our thanks. These gallant Nigerians made sacrifices, with some paying the supreme price, for us to be here today,” he said.

“We thank their families for the great thing their breadwinners and loved ones have done for us to be alive and dream of a better future.”

On December 24, 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari declared that Boko Haram’s camp zairo in Sambisa forest had fallen and the insurgents, crushed.

Since then there have been series of reported attacks in north-east, with the army attributing the disturbing incidents to fleeing insurgents who were seeking relevance.