No fewer than 135 Boko Haram members have surrendered along with their equipment to troops around Biu Local Government Area in Borno State, Defence Headquarters said on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, “A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Bun – Yadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in around Mubi – Michika”.
He said all the terrorists are now being interrogated and processed in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.
The Defence Headquarters applauded the gallantry of the Nigerian troops who have remained undaunted and professional in prosecuting the campaign against terror.
“The keen interest exhibited by our neighbours and allies is commendable and we appreciate them. All allies in the war against terrorism are hereby assured of the Nigerian military’s resolve to maintain momentum in the efforts to decimate and defeat terrorists,’ Olukolade stated.
The military said the success recorded so far in dislodging the insurgents was as a result of coordinated air and land operations.
Between 12 and 17 September 2014, the terrorists were said to have made four attempts to penetrate communities around the capital, Maidugiri, such as Konduga, but were repelled.
“The convoy of combat vehicles typical of terrorists’ mission that involves their top commanders were fiercely engaged by the land and air forces.
‘Several of the terrorists including some of their commanders lost their lives in the encounters which lasted an average of about 5 hours each. The troops captured some of the terrorists and their equipment.
‘In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir who has been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group died.
“Since the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that designation or title as well as all terrorists that seek to violate the freedom and territory of Nigeria.
“On restoring normalcy after the encounter, inhabitants of the community who were victims of terrorists activities corroborated information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau, alias Abacha Abdullahi Geidam alias Damasack etc.
“Indeed, the recent devastation on the leadership of the insurgents is attributable to the renewed commitment to the mission of eradicating terrorism in our country,” the DHQ stated.
However, Olukolade advised further that “Everybody is required to remain alert to ensure that we are not taken unawares by terrorist elements who might want to carry-out isolated attacks in any part of our country”.
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