Boko Haram now ‘depends on unripe mangoes’ for survival

Some members of the Boko Haram sect, who have surrendered to the Nigeria army, say the insurgents are now surviving on roots and mangoes.

According to Sani Usman, army spokesman, seven insurgents confessed that their former colleagues had run out of food.

“Quite a number of Boko Haram terrorists have continued to surrender. Yesterday, out of 16 male adults that came along with their families to troop’s from Balazala and Ahamdaga Makaranta villages in the Dure district, seven of them confessed to be Boko Haram terrorist members,” Usman said in a statement.

“However, on proper interrogation, the suspects confirmed to be Boko Haram terrorists with some of them having specialized trade and status.

“Three of them were Ameers (leaders) in the Boko Haram terrorist group’s hierarchy; for instance, Hamidu Buba was found to be the Ameer  (leader) of tailors, while Musa Buba  is Ameer of mechanics and Ali Idrissa, an Ameer of  carpenters. The others confessed to be ‘Rijan’ (fighters), adding that they have participated in various Boko Haram attacks on so many villages and towns. They further stated that the ongoing crackdown operation is really taking its toll on them as they can barely survive.

“As a matter of fact, they confessed that they were all fed up with the situation which has become worse as a result of Operation Crackdown. They also stated that the Boko Haram terrorists have ran out of food and they now survive on roots and unripe mangoes. They also said two of their members sent for food were killed at Frigi crossing point some days earlier by troops.”

The statement added that troops had cleared many camps and seized weapons of the insurgents.

“Troops of 26 and 223, battalions, army headquarters strike group and armed forces special forces have continued offensive operations in furtherance of Operation Crackdown,” he said.

“The troops have cleared remnants of Boko Haram in Izza and  Njima general area. Although they did not encounter any Boko Haram terrorists, there were noticeable fresh footprints, motorcycle and bicycle tyre marks in the seemingly abandoned places.

“However, the troops came across and recovered eight abandoned vehicles belonging to Boko Haram terrorists. The advancing troops also cleared all Boko Haram terrorists’ hideouts along the way including their camps at Bula Buba and its environs where they recovered one Hilux, one Canter truck, 15 AK-47  rifle magazines, a 60mm high explosive  bomb, 200 G3  rifle magazines, three browning machine gun tripod stands and a 60mm mortar bipod stand.

“Other recoveries include several metal links of 7.62mm (NATO) and 12.mm ammunition. In their area of operations, troops of  121 task force battalion today,  intercepted 35 civilians comprising six men, seven women, seven  males minors and  15 minor females who claimed to be coming from Balaganje village.

“However, preliminary investigation revealed that they had been living in Balaganje as captives by Boko Haram terrorists who threatened to kill them if they attempt to escape. They are being investigated further.”