By Paul Joseph
A suspected fighter of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Bakaka Bukar, has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State, military sources have disclosed.
The insurgent reportedly turned himself in at the Forward Operating Base in Mairari, where he voluntarily laid down his arms and declared his intention to abandon terrorism.
Sources said Bukar handed over an AK-47 rifle to troops and expressed willingness to embrace a peaceful life after years in the insurgent group.
According to security sources, the former fighter escaped from the Arinna Maimasalaci enclave, an ISWAP hideout reportedly controlled by a commander identified as Abu Salim.
The sources attributed the surrender to sustained military operations and mounting pressure on terrorist camps across parts of Borno State, which have continued to weaken the activities of insurgent groups in the region.
Military authorities noted that recent offensives against ISWAP and Boko Haram strongholds have led to the destruction of several camps, recovery of weapons and the neutralisation of numerous fighters, forcing some insurgents to abandon the armed struggle.
Following his surrender, Bukar underwent preliminary screening and profiling by security personnel to determine his identity, background and level of involvement in insurgent activities.
After the initial assessment, he was transferred to the Bulunkutu Rehabilitation Centre in Maiduguri, where he will participate in the Federal Government’s deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme for repentant insurgents.
The programme is designed to help former fighters disengage from extremist ideologies, acquire vocational skills and reintegrate into society as productive citizens.
Security officials described the latest surrender as another indication of the impact of ongoing military operations in the North-East.
They said continuous land and air offensives by troops of Operation Hadin Kai have disrupted terrorist networks, cut off supply routes and reduced the capacity of insurgent groups to maintain their operations.
The officials reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining pressure on terrorist enclaves while encouraging fighters willing to renounce violence to surrender and embrace rehabilitation opportunities.
Bukar’s defection adds to the growing number of insurgents who have laid down their arms amid intensified counterterrorism operations in Borno and other parts of the North-East.
Authorities expressed optimism that continued military successes, alongside rehabilitation and reintegration efforts, would further weaken extremist groups and support lasting peace and stability in the region.
They also urged remaining insurgents to take advantage of the opportunity to surrender and embrace lawful means of livelihood as security forces intensify the campaign against terrorism.
Leave a Reply