Three ISWAP fighters surrender to Nigerian troops in Borno

Three suspected ISWAP fighters have surrendered to Nigerian troops in Damasak, Borno State, saying they could no longer cope with the military’s sustained attacks on their camps.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the three men surrendered to troops of the Headquarters 5 Brigade at about 4:50 pm on July 28 during Operation Hadin Kai.

The suspects were identified as Abba Musa Dogo, 24, Abubakar Bargaji, 28, and Ibrahim Abubakar, 16.

According to the sources, the suspects fled terrorist camps at Sabon Gari and Tunbun Mota, which were reportedly under the control of ISWAP commanders Abu Fatima and Abu Ayuba.

The sources said “the suspects attributed their decision to surrender to fatigue and the sustained aerial and ground bombardment of their enclaves by Nigerian troops, which they said had made survival increasingly difficult.”

During questioning, the suspects reportedly said they had received training as gunboat operators and anti-aircraft gunners for operations around the Lake Chad region.

They also admitted that weapons were only given to them before specific missions and collected back by their commanders immediately after each operation, indicating strict control of arms within the group.

The sources added that the three suspects said they were ready to abandon insurgency and embrace peace.

They are currently in military custody, where further profiling and investigation are ongoing.