ISWAP fighter surrenders, hands over gun to troops in Borno

A member of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region, the insurgent, identified as Bakaka Bukar, surrendered to troops at the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Mairari at about 6:00 p.m. on June 1.

Zagazola stated that the surrendered fighter handed over one AK-47 rifle and expressed his willingness to renounce insurgency and embrace peaceful coexistence with society.

He added that preliminary investigations revealed that Bukar escaped from the Arinna Maimasalaci enclave, an ISWAP stronghold reportedly under the leadership of a terrorist commander identified as Abu Salim.

The security expert noted that the surrender was part of the ongoing successes being recorded through sustained counter-insurgency operations and increasing pressure on terrorist enclaves across the North-East.

According to him, following initial screening and documentation, the former insurgent was transported by military authorities to the Bulunkutu Rehabilitation Centre in Maiduguri for participation in the Federal Government’s deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration programme.

“The recent military offensives, combined with sustained air and ground operations, have continued to weaken terrorist networks and encourage defections among insurgent ranks.

“The security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops maintain high morale and operational effectiveness in ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace in the region,” he said.