The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said it lacks the power to offer amnesty to surrendered terrorists, while the Nigerian Army high command said it denied terrorists the opportunity to disrupt the country’s socio-cultural heritage or smear the sanctity of its sovereignty.

The Director, Defence Media Operations (DMO), Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, made the clarification on amnesty for terrorists during a briefing in Abuja, yesterday.

Recently, reports emerged of bandit commanders in Katsina State surrendering and releasing hostages in exchange for amnesty. The military high command clarified that while the development reflected the success of both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, offering amnesty to terrorists was not within the military’s mandate.

He said: “Amnesty is not what we do. We are to do our job according to our rules of engagement, according to our operational directives. And if, from the operation conducted, people are arrested and handed over, and an amnesty is to be given to them, it is not the military that determines that.

“Their cases will be studied, and based on merit, the agencies of government responsible for giving amnesty will do that.” On why the military refused to release detained leaders of Okuama, despite a court order, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, who was also present at the briefing, explained that the military had not received the court order in question, despite reports of its issuance.

On March 14, four officers and 13 soldiers were killed in an ambush in Okuama, a community in Ughelli South Local Council, Delta State, during a peace mission by the military. The killings attracted wide condemnation from Nigerians. The military, thereafter, stormed the community and arrested alleged perpetrators of the heinous act.

When asked why the military did allow community members to visit the detained leaders, he said no such request had been made to the military.

According to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede, the Army rose to the challenge and saved the nation from further doom; they contended with the enemies of peace and agents of chaos, who have brought terrorism to our borders and caused a plethora of internal security issues. Oluyede was speaking at a briefing to announce activities marking the 162nd anniversary of the army.

The Nigerian Army Day Celebration, which was first held in 1978, is observed yearly to commemorate the establishment of the Nigerian Army. It also marks the day the first shot was fired at Garkem Town in the present-day Cross River State, signifying the commencement of the Civil War.

The celebration also affords us the opportunity to recognise and honour the heroic contributions of military officers and soldiers, past and present.

He said: “This year, the Nigerian Army is celebrating 162 years of service to our great nation, Nigeria. That is over a century and a half of selfless dedication to duty, patriotism, loyalty and commitment to protecting our families, friends, compatriots and, above all, safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of our beloved country. The history dates back to 1863 when Lt Glover of the Royal Navy organised 18 indigenes of Northern Nigeria into a local force known as the ‘Glover Hausas’.

“The Nigerian Army has since grown exponentially, surmounting all challenges that every generation of our forebears had to contend with. Nigerian soldiers participated in the two great wars, conducted and concluded the Nigerian Civil War, upheld the banner of peace in West Africa and projected peace and stability across Africa.”