-by our correspondent.
In continuation of the ongoing intensive clearance operations across the theatre of Operation Hadin Kai,OPHK, more Boko Haram Terrorists and elements of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and their families, who have been hiding around the fringes of Sambisa forest have succumbed to heavy artillery and air bombardments and surrendered to troops at Forward Operational Base (FOB) Banki Junction/BOCOBS in Bama, Borno State on 2 August 2021.
Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE.
In the statement, the Army spokesman disclosed that the terrorists; 19 male fighters, 19 adult females and 49 children from Njimia village and environs also surrendered assorted weapons and incendiaries.
The statement noted that the terrorists blamed the ground and condition in the forest that have become untenable, hence their surrendering.
“The firearms and incendiaries recovered from the terrorists include eight AK 47 rifles, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), two Fabrique Nationale (FN) Rifles, 1 Dane Gun, 1Makarov Pistol, 89 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, 89 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 66 rounds of 7.62mm (NATO) ammunition, 5 x 9mm rounds of ammunition, 2 Hand Grenades, 27 AK 47 Rifle magazines and 2 FN Rifle magazines.” The statement read.
“Others are 1 pistol magazine, 1 x 60mm Mortar Bomb, 10 x14.5mm empty cases, 2 primed suicide vests, 72 trigger switches, 10 primed Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), 5 Electric Detonating Chords, 6 packs of Water Gel Explosives, 6 Mobile Phones, 1 Camel Pack, 1 Cammoulage bag, 2 Hard drives, 1 Plier, 2 Unserviceable Handheld Radios, 2 Scissors, and needles, 2 Matchboxes and the sum of Fifty Five Thousand Naira (N55,000:00) only.” It added.
According to the statement, the terrorists and their families are currently undergoing comprehensive security profiling and preliminary investigations, while the children have been administered with oral polio vaccines.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has commended the troops for the sustained offensive and clearance operations conducted in the theatre. He charged them to maintain the momentum of the operations. Specifically, Yahaya charged troops of the 8 Division and Operation HADARIN DAJI (OPHD) to intensify their operations against bandits marauding in parts of North West, Nigeria.
The COAS gave the charge in Gusau, the Zamfara state capital, while addressing troops during his operational tour of 8 Division and its formations and units.
Commending the troops for their operational exploits in curtailing the activities of the criminals, General Yahaya urged them to promote synergy among the military and other security agencies, describing it, as a strategy that will speed up the end of banditry in the region.
In the same vein, the COAS also paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Bello Muhammad, where discussions were held on the security situation of the state and the North West in general.
The high point of the visit was the presentation of the Nigerian Army’s memento to the Governor.
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