By Abubakar Haruna Muhammad (9News Nigeria, Northeast)
Six suspected Boko Haram members and their family members have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State following sustained military offensives against terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains, security sources said.
According to intelligence sources, the first group surrendered at about 6:00 a.m. on July 4 to troops of 192 Battalion.
The group comprised 65-year-old Hamman Zaha and his wife, Falmatu Yahaya, 55, who reportedly told investigators they had escaped from the Guduf-Bubayagwa terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains.
Security sources disclosed that troops recovered ₦943,000 from the couple at the point of surrender.
In a related development, another group of four surrendered about 45 minutes later to troops of C Company, 192 Battalion in Gwoza.
The group consisted of Ali Garba, 31, Ismail Yakubu, 27, Aisha Musa, 60, and Amina Garba, 50.
The individuals reportedly informed investigators that they had fled the Chikide terrorist enclave after sustained military operations, worsening living conditions, and a shortage of basic necessities within the insurgents’ camp.
During the operation, troops recovered two Tecno mobile phones and ₦593,500 from the second group.
Military sources said all six individuals have been screened, documented, and taken into custody by the 192 Battalion for further investigation.
The sources added that the two adult male suspects, believed to have had links with the insurgents, will undergo further interrogation to determine the origin of the more than ₦1.5 million recovered from both groups and to establish whether the funds were connected to terrorist operations or logistics.
Security officials said the latest surrender reflects the increasing pressure being exerted on terrorist hideouts in the Mandara Mountains through sustained military operations, forcing more insurgents and their family members to abandon the enclaves.
They, however, noted that while the overall security situation across the North-East remains relatively calm, it is still unpredictable, with troops maintaining a high level of vigilance and operational readiness to counter any emerging threats.
