11 ISWAP Fighters Surrender as Troops Rescue 72
In the wake of the continuous onslaughts by Nigerian Military, 11 Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) terrorists have surrendered to troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
It was gathered that the repentant insurgents are already being profiled for further action.
The Defence Media Operations (DMO), while giving an update on the operations by the Armed Forces on Friday, said the insurgents voluntarily surrendered to troops in Adamawa State.
According to a statement issued by DMO Coordinator, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, there are indications that more terrorists are willing to surrender.
Enenche, said one of such moves, was the dropping off of 72 family members of BHTs/ISWAP at the entrance of Ngala town in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State on 10 May 2020 around 8.30pm.
Among those released are 33 women and 39 children.
He said all of them are in custody of troops for further action.
“This number of surrendered BHT/ISWAP fighters is an indication of the heat of our operational activities on the terrorists due to the renewed impetus in the theatre to end the criminality,” he said.
Speaking further during the briefing held at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Maj. Gen. Enenche, noted that the De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme for ex-fighters, under Operation SAFE CORRIDOR has recorded tremendous success.
“So far, 280 clients have successfully undergone the programme and reintegrated into the society, 25 of this number were repatriated to Niger Republic. Presently, 603 clients are due to pass out in June 2020. Other fighters are hereby encouraged to come out of the bush/hideouts to surrender.
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“The military High Command is using this medium to request parents, traditional rulers, community, opinion and religious leaders to urge their wards and children not to succumb to inducements by the BHT/ISWAP for recruitment into their fold because the temporarily surviving terrorists are now in dire need of fighters,” he said.
In a related development, the DMO said that troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, on 9 May 2020, at Uvaha High Ground Area in Limankara, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, neutralized 3 suicide bombers attempting to infiltrate the defence location.
“Similarly, troops of 144 Battalion, 82 Division task Force Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade and 271 Task Force Tank Battalion neutralized 18 Boko Haram Terrorists within the past one week. These operations took place at Gamboru Ngala, Firgi Mubi – Kamale Road in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State as well as Ngoshe near the Nigeria – Cameroon border. A total of 72 persons were also rescued from the Boko Haram Terrorists.
“Also, on 9 May 2020, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion, at Pulka – Ngurosoye, near Bama town repelled BHT ambush and killed 20 terrorists, while on escort duty. Equally, on 13 May 2020, Operation LAFIYA DOLE troops killed 9 BHTs in an ambush at Mainok – Jakana axis in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State. Two gun trucks mounted with anti aircraft gun were captured. In all 61 BHT/ISWAP criminals were neutralized in the Theatre, aside from those that escaped with gunshot wounds with narrow chances of survival,” Enenche said.
He then continued: “In a swift operation, within this period, gallant Troop of Army Super Camp Mallam Fatori on 11 May 2020, conducted a clearance operation to Tumbun Fulani in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State. Several terrorist were killed while their vehicles and logistics bases were destroyed.
“Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE, on 12 May 2020, while responding to a distress call on suspected armed herdsmen infiltration at Agasha in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State neutralized 4 assailants. Troops recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 4 magazines and 65 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from them.”
