LAGOS, Nigeria

The Nigerian army said Wednesday that Boko Haram militants were “poisoning water sources” in two communities in the country’s northeastern Borno State, adding, however, that no human being has died as a result.

“Some cattle were killed after drinking water from poisoned sources,” army spokesman Tukur Gusau said, adding that Boko Haram militants had “resorted to poisoning wells and streams” in areas from which they had recently been driven by the army.

In a related development, the army has said it was willing to pardon Boko Haram fighters willing to lay down their arms.

The move comes one day after President Muhammadu Buhari said “all options” were open for ending the insurgency, stressing that “military operations alone” would not solve the crisis.

“In accordance with a presidential directive, the Defense Headquarters (DHQ) has inaugurated a national committee to oversee the creation of a safe passageway into mainstream Nigerian society for Boko Haram members,” the DHQ said in a Wednesday statement. 

“Boko Haram members penciled for reintegration are those [who were] forcefully conscripted into the group and those who have already surrendered or who are willing to renounce their membership in the group,” the statement read.

According to the army, at least 315 militants have so far surrendered.

“The current unfavorable situation for the terrorists in the battlefield has resulted in large numbers of the insurgents willing to surrender their arms,” the army said in a statement.