Seventeen family members linked to the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorist group have surrendered to the Nigerian military in separate operations carried out in Borno State.
The Nigerian Army said the development followed sustained offensives by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, which have continued to pile pressure on insurgent strongholds across the North-East.
According to the Army, 16 of the individuals surrendered to troops in Konduga Local Government Area, while another, an 11-year-old, turned himself in separately in Bama Local Government Area.
Confirming the development on Wednesday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, said the surrendered individuals are currently undergoing preliminary screening and debriefing.
The statement read, “Sustained offensive operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have continued to exert significant pressure on terrorist elements operating across the North-East theatre, resulting in the voluntary surrender of 17 family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) in separate incidents in Borno State.”
Military authorities said the first group, made up of 10 women and six children, surrendered during a patrol by troops of the 222 Battalion along the Gezuwa axis of Konduga on August 4.
Officials said the group admitted that the military’s continuous operations against terrorist camps influenced their decision to give themselves up. Troops also recovered ₦92,000 from the group.
“A total sum of ₦92,000 was recovered from the group during the process,” Goni said.
Later the same day, troops of the 202 Battalion under Sector 1 received an 11-year-old JAS family member who voluntarily surrendered in Bama Local Government Area.
“During preliminary debriefing, the minor also attributed his decision to surrender to the sustained operational pressure being maintained by troops against terrorist elements within the theatre,” he said.
The Army noted that all those who surrendered remain in custody for profiling before being transferred to the appropriate authorities for further debriefing and rehabilitation where necessary.
“They will subsequently be handed over to the appropriate authorities for further profiling, detailed debriefing, rehabilitation processes where applicable, and other necessary administrative procedures in accordance with extant guidelines,” the statement added.
The military maintained that ongoing operations are aimed at dismantling terrorist hideouts, disrupting their supply routes and limiting their freedom of movement across the North-East.
“Troops will continue to dominate identified operational areas, maintain pressure on terrorist enclaves, and deny criminal elements the freedom to operate, while facilitating the safe and voluntary surrender of those willing to lay down their arms in line with established procedures,” Goni stated.
