Children of suspected Boko Haram members flee terrorists’ enclave, surrender to troops in Borno

Two teenage girls, believed to be relatives of Boko Haram members, have escaped from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The development was reported by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security analyst covering the Lake Chad region.

According to the report, the girls surrendered at about 3:55pm. on July 21 to troops of C Company, 192 Battalion Mechanised, deployed in Gwoza.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the minors escaped from the Grazah terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains before making their way to the military position.

“The girls escaped from the Grazah terrorist enclave before surrendering to troops,” the report stated.

The girls were identified as 11-year-old Fatima Adamu and seven-year-old Rahima Adamu.

“Military sources said the two minors were received by the troops, properly screened and documented in line with established operational procedures,” the report stated.

According to the report, the girls are currently in the custody of the 192 Battalion, where they are undergoing further profiling and administrative procedures.

Makama further reported that the latest surrender adds to the growing number of women and children fleeing Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, enclaves as sustained military offensives continue to mount pressure on insurgent strongholds across the North-East.

The report also noted that although the general security situation across the theatre remains calm, troops have maintained high operational readiness while continuing offensive operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.