The Defence Headquarters says no fewer than Boko Haram commanders surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in the past two weeks in the North-East.

DHQ said the troops also killed 42 Boko Haram insurgents, adding that 3,858 terrorists surrendered to the military officers in the theatre of operation.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, made this known while reviewing progress of the ongoing military operation against insurgency on Thursday in Abuja.

Onyeuko said the troops took the battle to Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) enclaves with more coordinated operations.

He said the Air Component of OPHK on July 11, conducted air interdiction operation at Tumbum Jaki and Tumbum Murhu near Lake Chad in Borno State and killed more than 21 terrorists.

Onyeuko disclosed that the six Boko Haram commanders surrendered to troops at Gwoza.

He listed the surrendered commanders as Malam Mala Hassan (Wali), Ali Madagali (Munzur), Musa Bashir (Chief Anur), Buba Dahiru (Munzur), Jafar Hamma (Kaid), and Abbali Polisawa.

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“Also, about 3,858 Boko Haram terrorists and their families surrendered between July 1 and July 14, comprising 505 males, 1,042 females, and 2,311 children,” he said.

The DHQ spokesman said the troops also neutralised unspecified number of terrorists in different encounters at Gamage village in Dikwa Local Government Area, Dikwa – Gamborou-Ngala road, Pulka – Gwale Road in Borno State during the period.

Onyeuko added that scores of terrorists logistics suppliers/collaborators were arrested with different items at various locations within the theatre.

“Among them were two women namely; Hauwa Gambo and Khadija Dirsa.

“Consequently, troops neutralised 42 terrorists, arrested 10, captured 17 AK47 rifles, one QTC rifle, 1 RPG bomb, one RPG tube, five hand grenades, 120 rounds of 5.5mm and 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition,” he said.

Onyeuko listed other items to include 151 rounds of 7.62mm NATO; 60 rounds of 12.7 108mm, two ammo links, five Dane guns, eight rounds of fabricated 7.62mm ammunition, one smoke grenade, two locally made explosives, 23 empty AK47 magazines, and five FN magazines.

He said the surrendered terrorists and their families were being profiled and documented while recovered items and apprehended suspected terrorists have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

The Star