5th August, 2021
By Sumaila Ogbaje/Abuja
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said over 100 terrorists and their families had succumbed to troops’ offensive in less than two weeks by laying down their arms and giving up the fight.
The latest were 18 terrorists who surrendered with their families, made up of 18 females and 19 children.
Nwachukwu disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the surrender was a result of the escalation of ground and air offensive operations against them, by troops of Operations Hadin Kai (OPHK).
Nwachukwu said the sustained air and artillery bombardments on the enclaves of the terrorists in Sambisa forest and its environs had continued to yield positive results.
He said the terrorist groups had suffered enormous setback and recorded many casualties as a result of ferocious offensives by the troops.
According to him, the 18 male fighters of the terrorists groups on Wednesday came out to surrender to troops with their arms and ammunition.
He disclosed that the terrorists came out with their families, comprising 18 adult females and 19 children, from Chingori and other surrounding villages around the Sambisa forest.
“The arms recovered from the surrendered terrorists include five AK47 rifles, one foreign AK47 rifle with telescopic sight, one Fabrique Nationale rifle and eight AK47 rifle magazines.
“Other items include one FN rifle magazine, one bandolier, three rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and the sum of N7,700.
“Similarly, a Boko Haram fighter from Abuja Asamau Village in Sambisa Forest also surrendered to troops with his AK 47 rifle, two magazines, one magazine holder, one round of 7.62mm special and the sum of N5,000,” he said.
According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has lauded the troops for their effort and charged them to remain dedicated and committed to the fight, until the terrorists are completely decimated.