15th May, 2020
The Defence Headquarters has disclosed that Boko Haram and Islamic States of West Africa Province (ISWAP) have abandoned their wives and children and fled from Nigerian troops.
He also said 11 members of ISWAP terrorists have surrendered to the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) in North East.
The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, disclosed this while giving updates on the operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.
Enenche said that the troops had also continued to launch onslaught on the terrorists from both land and air fronts leading to the killing of scores of the terrorists in recent time.
He explained that the 11 ISWAP fighters surrendered to troops on May 11 in Adamawa, adding that the repentant insurgents were being profiled for further action.
According to him, this number of surrendered BHT/ISWAP fighters is an indication of the heat of our operational activities on the terrorists due to the renewed impetus in the theatre to end the criminality.
“There are indications that more terrorists are willing to surrender.
“One of such moves, was the dropping off of 72 family members of BHTs/ISWAP comprising 33 women and 39 children at the entrance of Ngala town in Ngala Local Government Area of Borno on May 10 at about 8.30 pm.
“All of them are in custody of troops for further action,” he said.
The Coordinator also disclosed that the troops of OPLD on May 8, neutralised three suicide bombers that attempted to infiltrate their defence location at Uvaha High Ground Area in Limankara, Gwoza Local Government Area.
He added that the troops of 144 Battalion, 82 Task Force Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade and 271 Task Force Tank Battalion had also killed 18 terrorists within the past one week.
These operations, according to him, took place at Gamboru Ngala, Firgi Mubi – Kamale Road in Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa as well as Ngoshe near the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
“A total of 72 persons were also rescued from the Boko Haram Terrorists.
“Also, on May 9, troops of 121 Task Force Battalion, at Pulka-Ngurosoye, near Bama town repelled BHT ambush and killed 20 terrorists, while on escort duty.
“On May 13, OPLD troops killed nine terrorists in an ambush at Mainok–Jakana axis in Kaga Local Government Area of Borno.
“Two gun trucks mounted with anti-aircraft gun were captured.
“In all 61 BHT/ISWAP criminals were neutralized in the Theatre, aside from those that escaped with gunshot wounds with narrow chances of survival,” he said.
Enenche further disclosed that the troop of Army Super Camp at Mallam Fatori on May 11, killed several terrorists and destroyed their vehicles and logistics bases at Tumbun Fulani in Abadam Local Government of Borno.