DHQ: Fleeing Boko Haram insurgents abandoned 72 family members

The defence headquarters says suspected Boko Haram members, who fled following military offensives, abandoned 72 family members in Ngala, Ngala local government area of Borno.

John Enenche, coordinator of defence media operation, who disclosed this on Friday said 11 insurgents also surrendered to troops in Adamawa on May 11.

Eneche said the development followed an indication of the heat of military operational activities on the insurgents.

He also said scores of the insurgents were also killed during multiple offensives on their hideouts.

“There are indications that more terrorists are willing to surrender,” he said.

“One of such moves, was the dropping off of 72 family members of BHTs/ISWAP comprising 33 women and 39 children at the entrance of Ngala town in Ngala local government area of Borno on May 10 at about 8.30 pm.

“A total of 72 persons were also rescued from the Boko Haram terrorists. Also, on May 9, troops of 121 task force battalion, at Pulka-Ngurosoye, near Bama town repelled BHT ambush and killed 20 terrorists, while on escort duty.

“On May 13, OPLD troops killed nine terrorists in an ambush at Mainok–Jakana axis in Kaga local government area of Borno. Two gun trucks mounted with anti-aircraft gun were captured.

“In all 61 BHT/ISWAP criminals were neutralised in the theatre aside from those that escaped with gunshot wounds with narrow chances of survival.”

Enenche said on May 8, troops neutralised three suicide bombers that attempted to infiltrate their defence location at Uvaha high ground area in Limankara, Gwoza local government area of Borno.

He said troops of 144 battalion, 82 task force battalion, 26 task force brigade and 271 task force tank battalion had also killed 18 insurgents within the past one week.

These operations, according to him, took place at Gamboru Ngala, Firgi Mubi – Kamale Road in Michika local government area of Adamawa as well as Ngoshe near the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

He said that the de-radicalisation of ex-insurgents under Operation Safe Corridor had recorded tremendous success.

According to him, 280 repentant insurgents have successfully undergone the programme and reintegrated into the society, 25 of this number were repatriated to Niger Republic.

Operation Safe Corridor is an initiative for the de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of all ex-Boko Haram members.