Four key Boko Haram commanders, along with 13 main fighters, and a total of 45 family members, have surrendered to the troops of Sector 3 in the regions of Cross Kauwa and Baga within the Kukawa Local Government Area of Nigeria.
This significant development follows a 2-day intense offensive carried out by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against terrorists operating in the Lake Chad fringes.
The surrender of these high-ranking figures and their associates is attributed to the escalated kinetic and non-kinetic operations undertaken by the MNJTF. Lt. Col. Abubakar Abdullahi, the Military Public Information Officer, emphasized the role played by dwindling logistical supplies in the Boko Haram hideouts, coupled with mass surrenders, in rattling the insurgents.
The surrendered arsenal includes a substantial amount of weaponry: 7 AK-47 Rifles, one FN Rifle (SLR), 440 rounds of assorted caliber ammunition, and various other essential tools of insurgency.
On the initial day of the mass surrender, 2 commanders, 9 main fighters, and 21 family members yielded to the relentless operations of the troops, which were coordinated by the 19 Brigade in Cross Kauwa and the 403 Amphibious Brigade in Baga.
This group voluntarily surrendered 6 AK-47 rifles, one FN Rifle (SLR), 20 magazines (with two fully loaded), 12 rounds of 5.6-millimeter ammunition, 2 hand grenades, 3 Bandoliers, and 180 rounds of 7.62-millimeter ammunition, among other numerous items.
The momentum of surrender continued on the subsequent day, with 2 additional commanders, 4 fighters, and 24 family members responding to the call for peace.
This group surrendered at the 403 Amphibious Brigade location in Baga, submitting 2 AK-47 rifles, 7 magazines, 99 rounds of 7.62-millimeter ammunition, 2 transistor radios, a cash sum of N213,800, and a variety of personal items.
“This is coupled with dwindling logistic supplies in Boko Haram hideouts and mass surrenders which has rattled Boko Haram insurgents.
”Surrendered items include 7 AK-47 Rifles, one FN Rifle (SLR), 440 rounds of assorted calibre ammunition and other essential tools of insurgency.
“On the inaugural day of the mass surrender, 2 commanders, 9 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 6 AK 47 rifles, one FN Rifle (SLR), 20 magazines (with two fully loaded), 12 rounds of 5.6 millimeter ammunition, 2 hand grenades, 3 Bandoliers, and 180 rounds of 7.62 millimeter ammunition amongst numerous items.
“The tide of surrender’s continued onto the following day, when 2 other commanders, 4 fighters and 24 family members responded to the call for peace.
“Surrendering at the 403 Amphibious Brigade location in Baga, they submitted 2 AK-47 rifles, 7 magazines, 99 rounds of 7.62 millimeter ammunition, 2 transistor radios, a cash sum of N213,800, and a variety of personal items,” Abdullahi said.