Terrorists Surrender to Troops  as 6 Suspected Kidnappers Nabbed in Adamawa

Terrorists Surrender to Troops  as 6 Suspected Kidnappers Nabbed in Adamawa

A Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) fighter has surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI with an AK-47 rifle and ammunition, while six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate were arrested in separate operations in Borno and Adamawa states.

The Theatre Command of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, troops of 29 Task Force Brigade, operating under Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with Forest Guards, received the repentant terrorist at Borgozo in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, on September 13.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the fighter had escaped from a terrorist enclave and decided to abandon the group and surrender to the authorities.

The items recovered from him included one AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, four magazines, one improvised explosive device (IED), one magazine pouch and a bicycle.

The surrendered fighter is currently in military custody for further investigation and profiling in accordance with established procedures.

In a separate operation in Adamawa State, troops of Sector 4, in collaboration with local hunters, arrested six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate operating around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area.

The operation followed credible human intelligence on the activities of the syndicate in the area.

Troops raided the suspected hideout and arrested three members of the group, recovering one Dane gun in the process.

Further investigation and subsequent covert operations led to the arrest of three additional suspects, bringing the total number of arrested members of the syndicate to six.

The military said preliminary investigation indicated that the syndicate had been operating across the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero areas of Song LGA.

The suspects reportedly admitted involvement in the abduction of several victims for ransom, as well as other violent crimes within the area.

They remain in military custody for further investigation and appropriate legal action.

The Theatre Command said the operations demonstrated the sustained pressure being mounted by troops against terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.

It added that Operation HADIN KAI would continue offensive operations aimed at denying terrorists and other criminal groups freedom of action, while creating a safer environment for law-abiding citizens and supporting socioeconomic activities across the North-East.