High profile terrorist commander surrenders – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters says a notable commander of Boko Haram terrorists, Saleh Mustapha, has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai, in the North East as 51,114 terrorists have so far surrendered.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, stated this while addressing  newsmen on the operations of the military between March 25 and April 7 on Thursday in Abuja.

Onyeuko said the surrender of Mustapha popularly known as Inn Kathir, who was the Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba, to troops in Bama was significant.

He added that a total of 51,114 terrorists and families  comprising of 11,398 men, 15,381 women, 24,335 children had so far surrendered to troops as at April 5.

According to him, all surrendered terrorists have been documented, while arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.

He said that in the last two weeks, troops recovered one battle tank, five artillery guns, two GTS and  three AA guns.

Onyeuko said the troops also neutralised scores of terrorists while 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists and three logistics suppliers were arrested with 30 civilians rescued during the period.

He said the air component conducted air interdictions which took out heavy stockpile of ISWAP weapons in their depots between March 28 and March 31 at Bukar Meiram and 2km South of Kollaram.