The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has clarified that it is not within the military’s mandate to grant amnesty to terrorists or bandits who surrender.
According to the DHQ, such decisions are the responsibility of other arms of government.
Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, made this known during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
His statement comes amid reports that several bandit commanders in Katsina State recently surrendered and released hostages as part of an amnesty arrangement.
Kangye stressed that while the development reflects the success of ongoing kinetic and non-kinetic military operations, the military does not have the authority to offer amnesty.
“Granting amnesty is not our responsibility,” he said. “We operate strictly under our rules of engagement and operational directives. If people surrender during operations and are taken into custody, their cases are reviewed by the appropriate government agencies, who decide if amnesty is to be granted.”
Also speaking at the briefing, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, addressed concerns over the continued detention of some leaders from Okuama community in Delta State, despite reports of a court order for their release.
Gusau stated that the DHQ had not received any official court injunction. “If we receive such an order, our legal team will review it and advise on the next steps,” he said.
Regarding requests to visit the detainees, he added, “No formal request has been sent to Defence Headquarters. Perhaps these claims are only in the media. We have procedures, and if followed correctly, we will respond appropriately.”
The detained community leaders were arrested following the March 14 ambush in Okuama, which resulted in the killing of four officers and 13 soldiers on a peacekeeping mission—a tragedy that triggered national outrage.
Highlighting recent operational successes, Kangye disclosed that troops had neutralised several terrorist leaders, arrested 1,191 suspects, and rescued 543 kidnapped victims in June alone.
In the same period, 682 terrorists and their family members surrendered.
Among those eliminated were top terrorist figures including Amir Abu Fatimah, Kinging Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Mallam Jidda, Maiwada, Mai Dada, and Nwachi Eze (alias Onowu).
He also noted that notorious bandit leader Yellow Danbokkolo died two days earlier from injuries sustained during a confrontation with troops, which also claimed the lives of several of his lieutenants.
In addition, Kangye said troops arrested several wanted gunrunners and kidnappers, including Buhari Umar, Hassan Mohammed, Saleh Sani, and Shittu Muazu Bakassi.
On anti-oil theft operations, Kangye revealed that troops under Operation DELTA SAFE prevented the theft of petroleum products worth over ₦3.5 billion in the Niger Delta.
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He said the military recovered 2.38 million litres of stolen crude oil, 605,393 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and thousands of litres of other petroleum products.
“Troops destroyed 174 illegal refining sites and seized 45 vehicles involved in these criminal activities,” he added.
