Top Boko Haram Commander Surrenders To Nigerian Army As Troops Recover Weapons

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Thursday confirmed that a notorious Boko Haram Commander, Saleh Mustapha has surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army.

The DHQ revealed that Mustapha surrendered in Bama, Borno State to troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in the north-east.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Bernard Onyeuko gave the confirmation in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the activities of the Nigerian Military between March 25 and April 7, 2022.

He added that as at April 5, a total of 51,114 insurgents and families comprising of 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children had so far surrendered to the troops.

In the period under review, the troops also killed many of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists while 22 spies, 11 bandits, and three logistics suppliers were arrested with 30 civilians rescued.

Weapons including one battle tank, five artillery guns, two GTS, and three AA guns were also recovered from the insurgents.

“Others are one mine resistance ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle, three gun trucks, One MOWAG armored personnel carrier and two RPG tubes,” he said.

“Three RPG rockets, three RPG bombs, one NSVT gun, two GPMG, one light MG, one PKM, three GPMG belts and four belts of PKT rounds.

“Also recovered are 600 7.62mm NATO rounds, 16 AK 47 rifles, one dane gun, 270 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one Toyota Buffalo vehicle, one Golf saloon car, four motorcycles, six magazines, two pairs of camouflage, two terrorists flags, one tricycle and one active drone.”

He explained further that joint operations between the air and land components of Operation Hadin Kai resulted in heavy casualties for ISWAP terrorists with some of their hideouts destroyed during attacks that took place between March 28 and March 31 at Bukar Meiram and 2km south of Kollaram.

Some of their camps located in the Sambisa forest were also located and destroyed.

“The land component with the support of the air component conducted offensive operations at different locations of the theatre such as Ukuba/Camp Zairo, Sabil Huda, Ba Masaa, Wulgo, Marta, fulatari village, Uraha Crossing Point, Mbalala, Gamboru town all in Borno,” he added.

“Notably, among the exploits of our troops was the capture of the terrorists’ stronghold by Ukba/Camp Zairo in the Sambisa forest where some artillery guns, armored personnel carriers, trailers and large cache of arms and ammunition were captured.

“Troops also destroyed terrorist enclaves, captured some terrorists, destroyed terrorists improvised explosive making factory.”