Army: 18 more insurgents have surrendered in Borno — over 100 in two weeks

The Nigerian Army says 18 more insurgents have surrendered to troops in Borno state.

Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesman, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the suspected insurgents surrendered with their family members.

According to him, more than 100 insurgents have surrendered to the army within the past two weeks.

Nwachukwu added that items recovered include rifles, ammunition, and cash.

“More Boko Haram (BHT)/Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists are surrendering as troops of Operations Hadin Kai (OPHK), conducting counter terrorism and counter insurgency operations in north east Nigeria escalate ground and air offensive operations against the terrorists,” the statement reads.

“Sustained air and artillery bombardments on the enclaves of the terrorists in Sambisa forest and its environs have continued to yield positive results as 56 terrorists and their families laid down their arms, abandoning the groups and their illicit course.

“Recently, the terrorist groups have suffered enormous setback and recorded several casualties as a result of ferocious offensives by gallant troops of OPHK. Eighteen male fighters of the terrorist groups on Wednesday, 4 August, 2021, came out to surrender to own troops with their arms and ammunition, along with their families including 18 adult females and 19 children from Chingori and other surrounding villages around the Sambisa forest.

“The arms recovered from the surrendered terrorists include, 5 AK 47 rifles, 1 foreign AK 47 rifle with telescopic sight, 1 Fabrique Nationale rifle, 8 AK 47 rifle magazines, 1 FN rifle magazine, 1 Bandolier, 3 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and the sum of seven thousand, seven hundred naira (#7,700.00) only.”

The army spokesman added that “a Boko Haram fighter from Abuja Asamau village in Sambisa forest also surrendered”, while items recovered are an AK 47 rifle, two magazines, one magazine holder, one round of 7.62mm special and the sum of N5,000.

“It will be recalled that in less than 2 weeks, over 100 BHTs/ISWAP terrorists and their families have succumbed to ferocious offensive operations of Nigerian troops by laying down their arms and giving up the fight as their enclaves are being  bombarded by the combined efforts of the Air component and ground troops of Operation HADIN KAI,” he added.

“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, has lauded the troops for their effort and charged them to remain dedicated and committed in the fight, until the terrorists are completely decimated.”