‘69 Boko Haram members’ surrender to troops in Cameroon

The multinational joint task force (MNJTF) fighting insurgency in the Lake Chad region says 69 individuals associated with the Boko Haram terrorist group have surrendered to the troops.

In a statement on Tuesday, Abubakar Abdullahi, the MNJTF spokesperson, said the individuals surrendered during a combined maritime operation by Cameroonian and Nigerian forces in sector 1, Cameroon.

Abdullah added that the group comprises 13 adult men and 43 women and children.

He said 12 family members of the terrorists, including five women and seven children, were also rescued.

“Both the surrendered individuals and the rescued family members were handed over to the troops of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, in Gamboru and Banki for further action,” he said.

“On July 1, 2024, troops of Sector 4, Niger Republic, received 24-year-old Tijjani Muhammad, who surrendered with one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, and numerous 7.62mm rounds.

“He reported that he had escaped from a Boko Haram camp in Libye Soroa, driven by the current Operation Lake Sanity 2.

“The increasing number of surrenders significantly weakens the operational capability of Boko Haram and undermines the morale of their remaining fighters.

“Other terrorists are strongly urged to take advantage of the opportunity to lay down their arms and surrender to the authorities for lasting peace in the Lake Chad basin region.”