The Nigerian army has revealed that no fewer than 13,243 terrorists and their families have so far surrendered to troops in the North-East, following successful military operations in the region.
This disclosure was contained in a statement by acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brigadier-General Bernard Onyeuko, while giving an update on military operations across the country, on Thursday in Abuja.
According to Onyeuko, the surrendered terrorists comprise 3,243 males, 3,868 females and 6,234 children.
Onyeuko, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said troops of Operation Hadin Kai had sustained aggressive posture with vigour in the North-East, which had yielded significant results in the last two weeks.
He said the series of land and air operations conducted in different locations across the North-East theatre had reduced the operational capabilities of the insurgents, with several of them being killed.
Onyeuko said several others were arrested alongside their informants and logistics’ suppliers, while more terrorists had continued to lay down their arms and surrender to troops with their families.
“Some of these feats were recorded at Gwoza-Yamtake-Bita road, Gwoza-Farm Centre-Yamtake road, Mandara Mountain area, as well as Pulka and Hambagda towns, all in Borno State.
“Cumulatively, within the period, a total of 29 terrorists were neutralised and 13 terrorists, including their informants/collaborators and logistics suppliers, were arrested in the course of the operations.
“Additionally, a total of 38 assorted weapons and 968 rounds of assorted ammunition, as well as 48 rustled livestock, among several other items were recovered.
“So far, a total of 13,243 terrorists and their families, comprising 3,243 males, 3,868 females and 6,234 children, have surrendered to troops at different locations in the North-East,” he said.
Onyeuko disclosed that the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai carried out air interdiction missions to foil Boko Haram Terrorists/ ISWAP criminal elements’ attack on ground troops’ location at Aulari village in Bama area of Borno.
He said that the encounter led to the destruction of three gun-trucks belonging to the terrorists and death of scores of their fighters, while several others fled in disarray with varying degrees of injuries.