10 wives and 24 children of suspected terrorists surrender to troops in Borno

Ten family members of suspected terrorists, accompanied by 24 children, have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State following violent clashes between rival terrorist factions.

The group surrendered at about 4:30 p.m. on August 19, 2026 to troops of 112 Task Force Battalion deployed in Mafa under Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY V.

Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the group comprised 10 women aged between 20 and 47 years, alongside 24 children between the ages of one and 13.

The women were said to have fled from the Dukumba terrorists’ enclave following violent clashes between rival factions operating in the area.

Preliminary investigation indicated that the clashes among the rival groups prompted the women and children to abandon the enclave and seek safety with the troops.

The surrendered persons were subsequently profiled and documented by the military authorities as part of ongoing efforts to identify, screen and establish the circumstances surrounding their presence in the terrorist enclave.

The development comes amid continued pressure by troops under Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY V against terrorist formations across the North East.

The surrender of the family members also highlights the impact of internal divisions and clashes among terrorist factions, which have continued to create instability within their enclaves and force vulnerable persons, particularly women and children, to flee.

Security sources said the overall situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops maintained satisfactory morale and operational readiness.