Army Launches Public Address System to De-indoctrinate Boko Haram Members

Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has launched the Nigerian Army public address system aimed at de-indoctrinating and dissuading Boko Haram insurgents from continuing on the path of terrorism.

Buratai, who was in Maiduguri yesterday, the operational headquarters of the counter-insurgency operations against the terror group, to commission the Operation Lafiya Dole public address system, and over a dozen office and housing projects at the Maimalari cantonment, disclosed that the new public address system was being introduced in line with the Nigerian Army information policy on fighting the Boko Haram insurgency and terrorism in the North-east.

He said: “This public address system is being introduced and is in line with our information policy, which is part of the information operation that we have been embarking upon.”
He noted that previously, the military had used leaflets and other means to disseminate information to discourage individuals, especially the terrorists from carrying out atrocities.

He said: “We have Peace FM, which is operating very well and I think we are going mobile. This is a very good initiative by the theatre commander and his officers. This will help to further ensure that the right information is passed to the public.”
He asked the theatre commander and other operators of the public address system to go to all public places like motor parks and markets to educate the people on what the military is doing to bring an end to the insurgency.

“This could also be part of the de-indoctrination programme so as to target individuals who may want to continue with this unfortunate insurgency and terrorism,” he said.
While speaking on the plans put in place to dissuade insurgents from terrorism, he added: “We will be able to dissuade them in this manner. Some of them may even come with the intention of attacking the people. But when we appeal to them in those places, they may decide to drop whatever they are carrying.

“That is the essence of communication. We want to reach everybody, so that we get the message across to the right people so that they can come back to their senses and be part of right-thinking society.”