A Boko Haram improvised explosive device (IED) expert and one other terrorist have surrendered to troops of Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Monguno, Nigeria.
A statement by the Chief Military Public Information Officer, Lt Col. Abubakar Abdullahi said the terrorists identified as 19-year-old Abubakar Mohammed (alias Garba) , an improvised explosive device (IED) expert, and 13-year-old Bana Modu surrendered on 21 April 2024.
He said both Mohammed and Modu had revealed during preliminary investigation that they had been ordered to plant IEDs along roads in Doron Baga and Fish Dam in Baga, Kukawa local government of Borno State Nigeria.
He said, “Instead of carrying out their mission, they decided to abandon their task, escape with the IEDs and surrender to the MNJTF. Their decision was influenced by the MNJTF recently concluded Operation NASHRUL SALAM, a non-kinetic operation and sector’s personal engagement strategy with relevant sources, showcasing the effectiveness of psychological operations in the fight against terrorism.”
The troops recovered: two IEDs, two mobile phones, and a sum of N53,000.00 only from them.
Abdullahi said their surrender underscores the MNJTF’s commitment to encouraging other terrorists hiding in the Lake Chad Islands to come out, surrender and lay down their arms, in a bid to achieve sustainable peace in the region.