As the Nigerian Army troops continue its offensive against insurgents in the North East, more Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements are either being arrested or neutralized and their equipment captured or destroyed while others continue to surrender amidst sustained artillery bombardments and offensive onslaught against their enclaves and hideouts by the gallant troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
John Enenche, Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, confirmed, in a statement on Monday, the surrender of a 19-year-old boko haram fighter, Muhammadu Abubakar, also known as, Babagana.
Abubakar “surrendered to troops of 242 Battalion deployed at Charlie Six Check Point in Mongonu, Borno State”.
“Preliminary interrogation revealed that the 19 year old repentant Boko Haram fighter joined the group about a year ago at Shaharam and participated in the attack on Tumbun Shaje,” Enenche noted in the statement.
“Regretting his past actions, Babagana called on his erstwhile colleagues who are currently in a state of despair and confusion in the forests to surrender to the troops of the Nigerian Army.
Recall MERIDIAN SPY reported last Friday, a prominent boko haram fighter Malam Adamu Yahaya, also known as, Saad Karami voluntarily surrendered to the Nigerian troops.
In a related development on the same day, another Boko Haram ad ISWAP Province fighter, 35-year-old Muhammadu Kabudumi, also known as, “Amir Sabat also surrendered to the troops 242 Battalion in Monguno Borno State,” the statement had revealed.
“Kabudumi confessed to joining the Boko Haram sect in 2015 but denied participating in any of the sects’ operations. He however revealed that he has done duties at Boko Haram criminals camps at Abadam, Malam Fatori and Duguri under the leadership of Muhammadu Lawan, a notorious Boko Haram Commander.”
The statement further read: “On 28 May 2020, troops of Army Super Camp 11 Gamboru deployed in Ngala LGA of Borno State conducted long range clearance operations to Gulwa, Diime, Musiri, Wuri Bari, Mada, Sangaya, Jarawa, Mutu, Isari and Mudu Villages of the same LGA.
“At Isari Village, troops uncovered a Boko Haram criminals’ hideout with well constructed battle trenches. Th troops captured 3 of the bandits and recovered one AK 47 Rifle loaded with a magazine containing 2 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 2 swords, one cutlass, one axe, a set of arrows and charms.
“Also, on 27 May 2020, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI deployed at Forward Operation Base Marafa raided an abandoned makeshift hut in Karama village and recovered one AK 47 Rifle and 25 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. However, no arrest was made as the criminals are suspected to be deceptively using the location as armoury.”
The defence media coordinator also revealed that the troops of 17 Brigade in conjunction with elements of the Nigeria Police, on Wednesday, May 27, stormed a bandits’ hideout in Dumburun Forest and rescued 3 abducted victims while ammunitions were also recovered.
“During the operation the gallant troops neutralized one bandit and recovered one FN Rifle mounted with magazine while others fled. The rescued victims have been reunited with their families,” he noted.
“On the same day, following intense pressure mounted on bandits by the resilient troops of Operation KATSINA, some repentant bandits pleaded to surrender their weapons as well as jettison their criminal acts.
“Accordingly, 5 AK 47 Rifles, one Sniper Rifle, one FN Rifle, one PKT Machine Gun, one spare PKT Machine Gun barrel, one Pistol and one block engine of PKT Machine Gun were surrendered by the bandits.
“Other surrendered items include 5 AK 47 Rifle magazines, 2 FN Rifle magazines, 66 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 13 rounds of 7.62mm NATO belted also surrendered to troops of Operation KATSINA.”
