Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has highlighted alarming strategies employed by Boko Haram to recruit new members, revealing that over 60,000 children are among more than 120,000 individuals who have surrendered to authorities.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Monday, Musa explained that not all members of Boko Haram joined willingly, with many being conscripted or enslaved.
“What we realised is that not everyone that is part of it is a terrorist. Some of them were conscripted, some were forced, some were enslaved,” Musa stated. “Over 120,000 surrendered. Out of this number, over 60,000 were children.”
He disclosed that the insurgents, having lost territorial strongholds, resorted to impregnating women as a sinister strategy to create a new generation of fighters.
“They no longer have a territory, so they decided to start impregnating women. After a woman gives birth, they would impregnate her again within four months. They were trying to produce a new set of terrorists,” he said.
The defence chief expressed relief that many of these children are now in custody, preventing them from growing up in a system that normalised violence and cruelty.
Musa emphasised that the government collaborates with the police, Department of State Services (DSS), and other agencies to profile surrendered members. Those found culpable face investigation and prosecution, while women, children, and the elderly undergo care and rehabilitation.
“Nigeria is safe and will continue to be safe,” Musa assured, reaffirming the government’s commitment to deradicalisation, rehabilitation, and prosecution to ensure long-term peace.
