24 ISWAP terrorists’ family members surrender to Nigerian Army in Borno

Twenty-four family members of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists have surrendered to Nigerian Army troops in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Nigerian Army said the group surrendered at about 4 pm on Thursday to troops of the 112 Task Force Battalion.

According to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, the individuals fled the Gasuwa and Yaganari terrorist enclaves following clashes between rival ISWAP factions.

The Army said the surrendered persons had been profiled and documented for further action.

In a separate operation, troops of the 212 Battalion, supported by the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), arrested two suspects in the Bewac general area of Maiduguri.

The suspects were arrested along Al-Ansar University Road following intelligence about suspected terrorist activities.

The Army said one of the suspects was found with a magazine containing 35 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

“The suspect claimed he received the magazine and ammunition from another civilian, who was subsequently arrested by the troops,” the report said.

A mobile phone was also recovered from the suspects.

Troops also arrested a suspected ISWAP logistics supplier and informant in Kekura, Damboa Local Government Area.

He was taken from his residence after intelligence linked him to supplying food and mobile phones to terrorist camps.

In Kaduna State, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA prevented a kidnapping in Jurawa Village, Lere Local Government Area.

They responded to a distress call after a woman was abducted by suspected kidnappers at about 10 pm on Thursday.

The Army said residents had killed and mutilated the bodies of five suspected kidnappers before troops arrived, but other suspects escaped after abandoning the victim.

In Plateau State, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE recovered an AK-47 rifle after arresting a woman who was allegedly trying to escape with two magazines.

The troops had searched Kisayi and Dogon Daji settlements in Bassa Local Government Area following intelligence about the kidnapping of a civilian.

Further searches led to the recovery of a locally made firearm, three mobile phones and a military jungle hat from another residence.

The troops also recovered 20 stolen cattle in Dila Village, Pankshin Local Government Area, after engaging suspected rustlers who fled the area. The cattle were later returned to their owner.

In Delta State, troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, arrested three suspected cultists over an alleged murder in Isoko North Local Government Area.

The suspects were arrested during a raid on Sunfit Hotel in Owhelogbo and later handed over to the police.

In Rivers State, troops also arrested two suspects transporting about 125 litres of suspected illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil in sack bags.

The suspects were arrested in the Ebocha area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area during a patrol.