There is tension, confusion and severe apprehension in the camps of the Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, in the aftermath of the recent unprecedented and massive surrendering of Boko Haram Terrorists in Bama operational area early this month.
A statement issued by the Director of Army Public Relations, DAPR, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, notes that the terrorist group’s top ranking commanders are constrained to give up arms because of the depleting strength of its members, which has drastically dwindled their overall fighting efficiency.
TheFact Nigeria has learnt that within the last four months, about 1500 commanders and members of the Boko Haram and ISWAP sects have surrendered themselves to the Nigerian military following a series of military operations after the death of Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau. It was gathered that the terrorists approached the troops at Mafa and turned themselves in after a promise of amnesty and rehabilitation.
Earlier, at different times, some of the sects’ fighters surrendered at Bama, Mafa and Gwoza.
It is against this back drop that the terrorists group opted for the use of propaganda via AMAQ Terrorists Media Wing aimed at portraying the group as still being a potent force in the North East.
The current trend of apprehension in the camps of the terrorists has been further aggravated by the recent alarming turn out of members of the terrorists group, who came out in droves with their families to lay down their arms and surrender to troops at Mafa Local Government Area on Saturday,14 August.
According to Nwachukwu, a total of 186 Boko Haram Terrorists members led by their Amir, Manye Aga, comprising 67 adult males, 54 adult females and 65 children, surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, at Forward Operational Base, FOB, Ajiri.
Items recovered from the surrendered terrorists include, several AK 47 rifles and magazines, a locally made pistol and 8 locally fabricated daggers.
Similarly, on Sunday, 15 August, the Theatre took custody of 33 additional Boko Haram fighters, comprising of 4 adult males, 11 adult females and 18 children from Landanli, Azah, Ngaridua and Kondilla villages, who surrendered to own troops of 151 Task Force Battalion, Banki Junction in Bama.
“ISWAP is yet to come to terms with the reality of its current predicament, which has posed serious negative impact on its prowess.
“It is also worthy of note that the terrorists are overwhelmed with palpable fear and are making desperate efforts to halt the ongoing surrendering of their fighters from the Tumbus and Sambisa axis”, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Military has said that it is even more resolved to intensifying both kinetic and non kinetic efforts in the fight against insurgency, banditry and sundry crimes in the country.
