By Opeyemi Adelakun
Sustained military operations against insurgents in the North-East have forced 17 family members linked to Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) to surrender to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in separate incidents across Borno State.
The Nigerian Army said 16 of the surrendered individuals turned themselves in to troops in Konduga Local Government Area, while another surrendered in Bama Local Government Area after intensified operations against terrorist enclaves.
Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the development reflected the growing pressure being mounted on terrorist groups across the theatre of operations.
According to him, the first incident occurred at about 9:15 a.m. on August 4, when troops of the 222 Battalion, while on a domination patrol along the Gezuwa axis in Konduga, received 16 JAS family members comprising 10 women and six children who voluntarily surrendered.
During preliminary debriefing, the group said persistent military offensives against terrorist hideouts influenced their decision to abandon the insurgents’ enclave.
Goni said troops recovered ₦92,000 from the group during the surrender process.
In a separate incident at about 12:04 p.m. the same day, an 11-year-old JAS family member surrendered to troops of the 202 Battalion under Sector 1 in Bama Local Government Area.
According to the Army spokesman, the minor also attributed the decision to surrender to the sustained operational pressure being maintained by troops.
The statement said all 17 individuals are in military custody undergoing preliminary profiling and debriefing before being transferred to the appropriate authorities.
“They will subsequently be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further profiling, detailed debriefing, rehabilitation processes where applicable, and other necessary administrative procedures in accordance with extant guidelines,” Goni said.
He added that the latest surrender resulted from ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist enclaves, disrupt logistics networks and deny insurgents freedom of movement.
Goni reaffirmed that Operation Hadin Kai would sustain offensive operations across the North-East.
“Troops will continue to dominate identified operational areas, maintain pressure on terrorist enclaves, and deny criminal elements the freedom to operate, while facilitating the safe and voluntary surrender of those willing to lay down their arms in line with established procedures,” he said.
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