The Nigerian Army reported that 219 Boko Haram fighters and
children have surrendered to troops in the country's northeast.
The army's director of public affairs, Brig. Gen. Onyema
Nwachukwu, revealed this in a statement on Monday, saying it happened over the
weekend in Borno state.
"The current trend of apprehension in their (terrorist) camps have been exacerbated by the recent alarming number of members of the terrorist group who came in droves with their families to lay down their arms and surrender to their own troops in Mafa Local Government Area on August 14, 2021," he said.
"A total of 186 Boko Haram terrorists led by their Amir Many Aga, including 67 adult males, 54 adult females, and 65 children, surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in forwarding Operational Base (FOB) Ajiri. Several AK 47 rifles and magazines, one locally-made pistol, and eight locally made daggers were recovered from the surrendering terrorists.
"On August 15, 2021, the theater took into custody additional Boko Haram fighters including four adult males, 11 adult females and 18 children from Landanli, Azah, Ngaridua, and Kondilla villages surrendered to friendly forces of 151 Task Force Battalion, Banki Junction in Bama.
Nwachukwu described that this success followed recent huge
surrenders by Boko Haram terrorists in the Bama area of operations on August 2
and 4.
Since then, there has been confusion and great concern in the camps of the Islamic State's province in West Africa, particularly among senior commanders, as the number of members, has declined and the overall effectiveness of the fighters has dropped drastically, he said.
"Against this backdrop, the terrorist group has opted for the use of propaganda by the AMAQ Terrorists Media Wing, with the aim of portraying the group as if it is still a strong force in the Northeast," the army spokesman said.
According to him, ISWAP has not yet come to terms with the reality of its current situation, which has had a very negative impact on its clout.
Nwachukwu stressed that the terrorists are overwhelmed by palpable fear and are making desperate efforts to prevent the surrender of their fighters from the Tumbus and Sambisa axis.
He said the military remains determined to step up both
kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in the fight against insurgency, banditry and
other crimes in the country.