Two individuals, identified as 13-year-old Bana Modu and 19-year-old Abubakar Mohammed (also known as Garba), who had been involved in planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for Boko Haram, have surrendered themselves to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF). This event took place on Sunday in the Monguno Government Area of Borno State, marking a significant development in the ongoing efforts to counter Boko Haram activities in the region.
Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Military Public Information Officer in Ndjamena, reported that this surrender was influenced by the recently concluded Operation NASHRUL SALAM, a non-kinetic initiative by the MNJTF. This operation, along with the sector’s personal engagement strategy, effectively utilized psychological operations to encourage defections from terrorist groups.
During preliminary investigations, Mohammed and Modu disclosed that they had been ordered to plant IEDs along strategic locations in Baga, within the Kukawa Local Government Area. However, they chose to abandon their mission, escape with the IEDs, and surrender to the MNJTF authorities. Items recovered from the pair at the time of surrender included two IEDs, two mobile phones, and a cash sum of N53,000.
Lieutenant Colonel Abdullahi emphasized the MNJTF’s commitment to encouraging more members of terrorist groups hiding in the Lake Chad islands to surrender and lay down their arms. This approach is part of a broader strategy to restore peace and ensure long-term stability in the Lake Chad Basin area. The MNJTF continues to remain dedicated to its mission of restoring normalcy and securing sustainable peace in the region.