Four family members linked to terrorists have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI after escaping from an insurgent enclave in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to security expert, Zagazola Makama, the individuals surrendered at about 8:30 a.m. on July 10 to troops of C Company, 192 Battalion (Mechanised), deployed in Gwoza.
He revealed that the group comprised two women, a teenager and an infant who fled from the Kunde terrorist enclave, one of the remaining hideouts used by Boko Haram/ISWAP elements in the Mandara Mountains.
Zagazola stated that the surrendered persons were identified as Hauwa Muhammadu, 40; Aisha Muhammadu, 22; Adamu Muhammadu, 15; and 10-month-old Muhammad Mustapha.
He stressed that preliminary findings revealed that the family told investigators that they escaped from the enclave due to sustained military pressure on the terrorists’ positions and worsening humanitarian conditions within the camp.
“The family disclosed that continuous offensive operations by troops, coupled with severe shortages of food and other basic necessities, made survival in the enclave increasingly difficult, forcing them to flee,” he said.
The security expert further said during the screening process, troops recovered a total of N32,100 from the family.
Zagazola reiterated that the four individuals were properly screened and documented in line with established procedures and are currently in the custody of the 192 Battalion for further profiling and appropriate administrative action.
