The Nigerian troops engaged in Operation Lafiya Dole in parts of the North East, have neutralised Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP) fighters and nabbed some associates of the leader of Boko Haram terrorists, Abubakar Shekau.

In the same vein, armed bandits, kidnappers and other sundry criminals are finding it increasingly difficult to operate across the country as Nigerian Army troops continue to step up their anti-banditry operations across the North Central and North West Regions in particular.

This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday by the Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu.

Iliyasu noted that the recent humiliating defeats suffered by marauding Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals in Damboa, Borno State and Garkida in Adamawa State in the hands of the troops is being sustained with more debilitating defeat of the terrorists.

Evidently, he said, the defeat suffered by the criminal insurgents has continued to widen the cracks and animosities exposed recently within the ranks and files of the Boko Haram criminal Sect on the one hand and between it and its rival splinter Sect, the so-called on the other, while also providing the troops with the much needed tonic to continuing to decimate the terrorists in a bid to expeditiously end their obnoxious activities.

He recalled that on March 11, 2020, the troops of Strong Response Area Gubio successfully repelled a Boko Haram criminals’ attack. During the encounter, troops dealt a decisive blow on the marauding criminals, neutralized two of them and captured one AK 47 Rifle.

Iliyasu noted that subsequent exploitation by the troops along the withdrawal route of the insurgents in the early hours of 12 March 2020 led to the discovery of additional 5 Boko Haram criminals’ shattered bodies resulting from the encounter, one burnt Boko Haram terrorists Gun Truck, one PKT Machine Gun, 2 AK 47 Rifles, 3 AK 47 Rifle magazines and 67 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition.

The Spokesperson further disclosed that on the same 5 March 2020, 2 Boko Haram terrorists, Musa Mohammed (21 years) and Maina Liman (35 years) surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion deployed at Tashan Goto in Bama LGA of Borno State. He said the surrendered terrorists confessed that they worked for the Nakib (a Boko Haram Captain) at Bula Umar Village.

He stated: “The troops recovered 2 AK 47 Rifles, 2 AK 47 Rifle Magazines and 8 rounds of 7.62mm Special Ammunition from the surrendered terrorists. The surrendered criminals further revealed that a number of their erstwhile members were killed by troops in recent times while others are left wandering in the forest and willing to surrender to troops of the Nigerian Army as they are tired of life without meaning.

“They also regretted their involvement in the act of insurgency while calling on their former collaborators to also take the bold step to renounce and submit themselves to the authorities of the Nigerian Army.”

In a related development, Iliyasu said on 8 March 2020, another Boko Haram Terrorist, Bulama Modu Zantaliye surrendered to troops of 151 Battalion deployed at Strong Response Area Banki Junction.

According to him, “preliminary investigation reveals that the surrendered terrorist belongs to the Shekau faction. He also calls on his former colleagues to tow the path of sanity and surrender themselves to troops of the Nigerian Army as their safety and security are guaranteed”.