The Defence Headquarters has clarified that granting amnesty to surrendered terrorists and bandits is not within the purview of the military.

The DHQ noted that such decisions lie with other arms of government.

This clarification was made by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen Markus Kangye, during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

The statement follows recent reports that some bandit commanders in Katsina State had surrendered and released hostages in exchange for amnesty.

Kangye explained that while the development is a reflection of ongoing successes in both kinetic and non-kinetic military operations, the decision to grant amnesty lies outside the military’s mandate.

He said, “Amnesty is not what we do. We are to do our job according to our rules of engagement and operational directives.

“If from the operation conducted, people are arrested and handed over, and an amnesty is to be given to them, it’s not the military that determines that. Their cases will be studied, and based on merit, the relevant government agencies responsible for amnesty will act.”

Also addressing the press, the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen Tukur Gusau, responded to questions on the continued detention of some leaders of Okuama community in Delta State despite a reported court order.

Gusau stated that the military had not received any such order.

“The DHQ has not received any court injunction in respect of that. If we get it, we have our legal team which will advise us on the next step to take,” he said.

On the refusal to allow visits to the detained individuals, Gusau added, “There was no request forwarded to the Defence Headquarters on that. Maybe the request is only on the pages of newspapers. There is a procedure for everything; if they follow the procedure, we will respond appropriately.”

The arrest of the community leaders followed the March 14 ambush in Okuama that led to the death of four officers and 13 soldiers on a peace mission, a tragedy that drew nationwide condemnation.

Highlighting the military’s recent achievements, Kangye revealed that troops had killed several terrorist kingpins, arrested 1,191 suspects, and rescued 543 kidnapped victims in June alone.

Additionally, 682 terrorists and their families surrendered.

Notably, he mentioned the elimination of top terrorist figures such as Amir Fatimah, Kinging Auta, Abdul Jamilu, and others, including Yellow Danbokkolo, a notorious bandit kingpin who succumbed to injuries from a recent confrontation.

He said, “Our troops killed several terrorists’ kingpins and their foot soldiers, arrested over 1,191 of them and rescued 543 kidnapped victims. During the Quarter, about 682 terrorists and their families surrendered to troops. Among the terrorists eliminated were dreaded Amir Abu Fatimah, kinging Auta, Abdul Jamilu, Salisu, Mallam Jidda, Maiwada, Mai Dada and Nwachi Eze otherwise known as Onowu.

“Just two days ago, bandit kingpin Yellow Danbokkolo succumb to injuries sustained during an encounter with troops the previous week where many of his lieutenants were also eliminated. ”

Furthermore, he said troops arrested several wanted gunrunners and kidnappers, including Buhari Umar, Hassan Mohammed, Saleh Sani, and Shittu Muazu Bakassi.

In the Niger Delta, Kangye said troops under Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft operations worth over 3.5 billion.

He said recovered materials included 2.38 million litres of stolen crude oil, over 600,000 litres of illegally refined AGO, and tens of thousands of litres of other petroleum products.

“Similarly, troops of Operation DELTA SAFE foiled oil theft worth over N3,500,435,234.00 only.

“The breakdown indicates: 2,381,239 litres of stolen crude oil, 605,393 litres of illegally refined AGO, 41,465 litres of DPK and 26,905 litres of PMS were recovered. In addition, troops discovered and destroyed about 174 illegal refining sites, while 45 vehicles were seized from them,” he added. (The PUNCH)