Emerging report on Friday, from the Defence Headquarters, disclosed that 11 members of the Islamic States of West Africa Province terrorists group, have surrendered to the Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole, in the North-East.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while giving updates on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, at a News Conference on Friday, in Abuja.
He said that the Troops have also continued to launch an onslaught on the terrorists, from both land and air fronts, leading to the killing of scores of the terrorists in recent times.
He explained that the 11 ISWAP fighters surrendered to the Troops on May 11, in Adamawa, adding that, the repentant insurgents are being profiled for further action.
According to him, this number of surrendered BHT/ISWAP fighters, is an indication of the heat of the Army’s operational activities on the terrorists, due to the renewed impetus in the Theatre, to end the criminality.
His words: “On 11th May, 2020, 11 ISWAP fighters surrendered to Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE, in Adamawa State. There are indications that more terrorists are willing to surrender.
“One of such moves was the dropping off of 72 family members of BHTs/ISWAP, comprising 33 women and 39 children, at the entrance of Ngala town, in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno, on May 10, at about 8:30pm.
“All of them are in the custody of Troops for further action.”
He added that the Troops of 144 Battalion, 82 Task Force Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade, and 271 Task Force Tank Battalion, have also killed 18 terrorists within the past one week.
These operations, according to him, took place at Gamboru Ngala, Firgi Mubi – Kamale Road, in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State, as well as Ngoshe, near the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
“A total of 72 persons were also rescued from the Boko Haram Terrorists.
“Also, on May 9, Troops of 121 Task Force Battalion, at Pulka-Ngurosoye, near Bama town, repelled BHT ambush, and killed 20 terrorists, while on escort duty.
“On May 13, OPLD Troops killed 9 terrorists in an ambush at Mainok–Jakana axis, in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno.
“Two gun trucks mounted with an anti-aircraft gun were captured.
“In all, 61 BHT/ISWAP criminals were neutralised in the Theatre, aside from those that escaped with gunshot wounds, with narrow chances of survival”, he added.
(NAN)