The Defence Headquarters has announced that six top terrorist commanders have surrendered to troops in the North-East on Thursday, July 14.
Major General Benard Onyeuko, the Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the activities of troops between June 30 and July 14.
According to the military high command, those who surrendered are Mala Hassan, a governor; a three-star commander, Jafar Hamma; Musa Bashir, a Chief Anur; Ali Madagali, a Munzur; Buba Dahiru, a Munzur, and Abbali Nakib Polisawa.
Also, about 3,858 Boko Haram terrorists and their families were said to have surrendered between July 1 and 14, 2022.
“On 13 July 2022, six top terrorist commanders surrendered to our troops in Gwoza. It is pertinent to note that since the surrendering of terrorists to our troops, the high calibre of commanders surrendered at this time is unprecedented among them a Wali (Governor) and Kaid (a three-star commander).
“The surrendered are; Mallam Mala Hassan (Wali), Ali Madagali (Munzur), Musa Bashir (Chief Anur), Buba Dahiru (Munzur), Jafar Hamma (Kaid) and Abbali Nakib Polisawa.
“Also, about 3,858 Boko Haram terrorists and their families surrendered between July 1 and 14 2022, comprising 505 males, 1,042 females and 2,311 children.
“All surrendered Boko Haram/Islamic State of West Africa Province terrorists and their families were profiled and documented,” Onyeuko said.
He also said soldiers killed over 63 terrorists in separate operations during the period under review.
Onyeuko said, “On 11 July 2022, the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted air interdiction operation at Tumbum Jaki and Tumbum Murhu near Lake Chad in Borno State, on the receipt of an intelligence report on the activities of the insurgents in the general area.
“The successful airstrike neutralised several Boko Haram Terrorists and destroyed their hideout. Accordingly, information received from locals indicates that over 21 terrorists were neutralised in the airstrike.
“Consequently, between 1 – 14 July 2022, troops neutralised 42 terrorists, [and] arrested 10 suspected terrorists.”
Onyeuko added that 17 AK47 rifles, one QTC rifle, one RPG bomb, one RPG tube, five hand grenades, 120 rounds of 5.5mm, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 151 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 60 rounds of 12.7 108mm, two ammo links, five Dane guns, eight rounds of fabricated 7.62mm ammunition, one smoke grenade, two locally made explosives, 23 empty AK47 magazines, and five FN magazines were recovered from the terrorists.
Troops on joint border patrol in the South-West zone recovered 61 25 litre jerricans of Premium Motor Spirit and intercepted two vehicles loaded with 163 fifty kilograms of foreign rice along Ifo-Abeokuta in Ifo Local Government Area and Ijimu-Tata in Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, Onyeuko said.
He said all recovered items were handed over to the Nigerian Customs Service, Abeokuta.
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