Six terrorists’ family members surrender to troops in Borno

Six family members of Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State after escaping from the terrorists’ enclave in the Mandara Mountains.

The surrender occurred in two separate incidents on July 24, 2026 with all the individuals voluntarily presenting themselves to troops of C Company, 192 Battalion (Mechanised) deployed in Gwoza.

The first group, comprising Samaila Vuringwa, 55; Falmata Samaila, 13; and Walida Samaila, 10, surrendered at about 7:45 a.m.

Preliminary investigations revealed that they escaped from the Wa’a terrorist enclave located in the Mandara Mountains before making their way to the military location.

Items recovered from the family included primary and secondary school certificates as well as the sum of N460,000.

In a related development, another three family members identified as Amina Nahadiye, 64; Zainabu Zaza, 62; and Amina Mugula, 61, surrendered to the same troops at about 1:35 p.m. on the same day.

Military sources said preliminary screening also established that the second group escaped from the Wa’a enclave in the Mandara Mountains.

Items recovered from them included two torchlights and the sum of N252,000.

The six individuals have since undergone preliminary profiling, documentation and security screening and are currently in the custody of 192 Battalion for further investigation and processing in line with established operational procedures.

The military said the latest surrender underscores the sustained pressure being mounted by troops of Operation HADIN KAI against terrorist strongholds in the Mandara Mountains, compelling more insurgents and their family members to abandon the enclaves.

Military authorities added that operations across the North-East theatre remain generally calm but unpredictable, with troops maintaining aggressive clearance operations and sustained dominance of key operational areas.