53,262 B/Haram terrorists have surrendered so far-DHQ

The Defence Headquarters yesterday said that 53,262 Boko Haram terrorists had so far surrendered as of May 16.

It said 1,627 Boko Haram members and their families, comprising 331 men, 441 women and 855 children, surrendered to the troops at different locations between May 1 and May 14.

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Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, disclosed these in Abuja at a press briefing on the military operations between April 28 and May 19.

He said troops of Operation Hadin Kai neutralised 43 terrorists, arrested 20 and rescued 63 kidnapped victims across the North East within three weeks.

He said the troops killed a Boko Haram commander, Abubakar Sarki, in Sambisa forest, at Yuwe in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

He said the troops, in joint operations carried out by the land and air troops while conducting clearance operation, also killed the amir and spiritual head of Gaita general area, Malam Shehu and some of his foot soldiers.

He said the troops also arrested Mallam Modu Goni, a terrorist and logistics supplier at Bunin Yadi Market based on intelligent report.

He said: “In furtherance to its operational activities, on 17 May 2022, Mallam Modu Pantami was apprehended at the outskirt of Benishied village in Kaga Local Government Area while attempting to transport large quantity of logistics items he purchased for onward supply to terrorist at Gomari village in Fere Local Government Area of Borno state.

“Troops conducted ambush operations at terrorists crossing point at Kaidieri village in the cause of the operation five terrorists were neutralized with assorted weapons and different calibers of ammunitions captured from the terrorists.”