No fewer 62 Boko Haram terrorists and their family members have surrendered in northeast Nigeria in a span of two days, from 14 to 15 August 2023, Nigerian Army has said.
They include four key Boko Haram commanders, 13 main fighters, and a total of 45 family members.
The fighters laid down their arms and surrendered to troops of Sector 3 MNJTF in Cross Kauwa and Baga of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria.
On Saturday, Nigerian Army in a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, Military Public Information Officer – N’Djamena, re-echoed an urgent call to all remaining Boko Haram insurgents, urging them to embrace peace and surrender as operations intensify.
The statement reads in part; “In the wake of escalated kinetic and non-kinetic operations by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), coupled with a dwindling logistic supply in Boko Haram hideouts, mass surrenders rattle Boko Haram insurgents.
“Over a span of two days, from 14 to 15 August 2023, four key Boko Haram commanders, 13 main fighters, and a total of 45 family members, laid down their arms and surrendered to troops of Sector 3 MNJTF in Cross Kauwa and Baga of Kukawa Local Government, Nigeria. Surrendered items include seven AK-47 Rifles, one FN Rifle (SLR), nearly 440 rounds of assorted calibre ammunition and other essential tools of insurgency.
“On the inaugural day of the recent mass surrender, 14 August 2023, two commanders, nine main fighters and 21 family members yielded to the relentless operations of troops stroked by the 19 Brigade in Cross Kauwa and 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga. They voluntarily surrendered six AK 47 rifles, one FN Rifle (SLR), 20 magazines (with two fully loaded), 12 rounds of 5.6 millimeter ammunition, two hand grenades, three Bandoliers, and 180 rounds of 7.62 millimeter ammunition amongst numerous items.
“The tide of peaceful surrenders continued onto the following day, 15 August 2023, when two other commanders, four fighters and 24 family members responded to the call for peace. Surrendering at the 403 Amphibious Brigade location in Baga, they submitted two AK-47 rifles, seven magazines, 99 rounds of 7.62 millimeter ammunition, two transistor radios, a cash sum of 213,800 Naira, and a variety of personal items.
“In response to this major breakthrough, the MNJTF has re-echoed an urgent call to all remaining Boko Haram insurgents, urging them to embrace peace and surrender as operations intensify. The MNJTF remains committed to fortifying the stability of the Lake Chad Basin region, emphasizing that violence is not a viable course and that surrender provides the safest route towards peace and rehabilitation,” the statement added.
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