Boko Haram Fighter Surrenders with AK-47, 26 Rounds of Ammunition in Borno
A 23-year-old suspected Boko Haram fighter, identified as Ali Saidiq, has surrendered to troops in Borno State with an AK-47 rifle and 26 rounds of ammunition, amid sustained military operations against terrorist groups in the Lake Chad region.
Saidiq, a native of Garere in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, surrendered at about 4:45 p.m. on August 20 during a stop-and-search operation conducted by troops of the 196 Amphibious Battalion and the Nigerian Army Brigade Lake Chad at the Kwatan Alkama checkpoint.
Security sources said the suspect voluntarily handed over an AK-47 rifle, bearing registration number 02657, and a magazine containing 26 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Saidiq decided to surrender following sustained military pressure on terrorist elements operating in the area and after reportedly losing interest in continuing his involvement in terrorist activities.
His surrender, according to security sources, is another indication of the impact of intensified military operations on the operational capacity and morale of terrorist fighters operating along the Lake Chad axis.
Saidiq is currently in military custody for profiling and further investigation to establish his alleged role within the terrorist group, operational history and possible links to other members of the network.
The development comes as Nigerian troops continue efforts to restrict the movement of terrorist groups, disrupt their logistics and encourage fighters willing to renounce terrorism to surrender.
The military has also sustained a combination of offensive operations and intelligence-led security measures, including stop-and-search operations, to intercept suspected terrorists and recover weapons before they can be deployed against troops and civilians.
The recovered rifle and ammunition have been secured as investigations continue.
