The Nigerian Army has welcomed 28 members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP) as well as their families after surrendering to troops of 151 Task Force Battalion under 21 Special Brigade in Borno State.
The Director of Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, July 21.
Nwachukwu said the terrorists, who were fleeing aerial and artillery bombardments, surrendered to troops and that the terrorists and their families were taken in at the outskirts of Aza and Bula Daloye villages in the Bama Local Government Area of Borno state by troops of the battalion.
“The arrested suspects comprised of 11 adult male terrorists, five adult females and 12 children. The troops also recovered 27 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition, three AK 47 rifle magazines and a black fragmental Jacket from the suspects,” the statement said.
The Army PRO added that the suspected terrorists were undergoing preliminary investigations.
Nwachukwu added that, “In a separate operation on July 17, 2021, troops of 7 Division Garrison in conjunction with Civilian Joint Task Force, acting on credible intelligence tracked and arrested Boko Haram informants and logistics suppliers, during a cordon and search operation in Lawanti and Gongolun Communities of Jere Local Government area of Borno State.
“During preliminary investigations, the suspects confessed to have been working as informants for the terrorists, whom they provide with information on troops’ movements, locations, deployments, strength, calibre of weapons and other activities.
“They also admitted to supplying terrorists with basic logistics for their daily survival, ranging from Petroleum Oil and Lubricant (POL), drugs, mosquito nets, kolanuts, recharge cards and food stuff.
“The suspects disclosed that they were remunerated by the terrorists with proceeds made from selling dismantled old motorcycle parts to dealers in order to fund their purchases.”