The terrorist groups of Boko Haram and ISWAP have indicated their intention to surrender massively Nigerian troops by surrendering 72 of their family members. The family members were dropped at the entrance of Ngala town in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State on May 10, 2020 around 8.30pm for expected arrest by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole. Amongst the surrendered family members of Boko Haram and ISWAP were 33 women and 39 children and they are already in the custody of troops for further action.
Similarly, 11 fighters of ISWAP fighters have also voluntarily surrendered to the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole in Adamawa State on May 11, 2020. The insurgents are now being subjected to the process of profiling by the Army troops. Although, the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche has attributed the new trend of surrendering by the terrorists to the renewed impetus in the theatre command to end insurgency in the North East.
In a similar operation, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion at Pulka – Ngurosoye, near Bama town have repelled the ambush of Boko Haram terrorists and successfully killing 20 of the fighters while on escort duty on May 9, 2020. Also, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole have yet again on May 13, 2020 killed 9 Boko Haram fighters in an ambush at Mainok-Jakana axis in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State. Also captured by the troops were two gun trucks that were mounted with anti aircraft gun.
Altogether, it was gathered that 61 elements of Boko Haram and ISWAP have been neutralized by troops of the Theatre Command. This figure was aside the numbers of insurgents that escaped with fatal gunshot wounds and have little or no chances of survival.
Meanwhile, it has been emphasized by the military high command that the anti-insurgency campaign have been a joint operations by Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies.
In another operation, troops of Operation Lafiya Dole at Uvaha high ground area in Limankara at Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State on May 9, 2020 neutralized 3 suicide bombers that attempted to infiltrate the defence location. Also, troops of 144 Battalion, 82 Division Task Force Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade and 271 Task Force Tank Battalion have yet again neutralized 18 Boko Haram terrorists in the last one week.
According to the Coordinator of Defence Media Operations, the operations were carried out at Gamboru Ngala, Firgi Mubi – Kamale road in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Ngoshe near the Nigeria-Cameroon border. It was also gathered that a total of 72 persons were also rescued by the troops from the hideout of Boko Haram elements.
In a similar operation, troop of Army Super Camp at Mallam Fatori have conducted a clearance operation to Tumbun Fulani in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State on May 11, 2020. Several terrorists were killed during the operation by gallant soldiers in addition to the destruction of their vehicles and logistics bases.
Meanwhile, Nigerian military High Command has appealed to parents, traditional rulers, community, opinion and religious leaders to strongly guide their wards and children against falling for the recruitment baits of terrorists groups of Boko Haram and ISWAP.