16-year-old Boko Haram relative surrenders to troops in Borno

A 16-year-old relative of a suspected Boko Haram member has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, amid sustained military offensives against insurgent strongholds in the North-East.

Security sources said the teenager, identified as Isa Umaru, turned himself in to troops of the 192 Battalion (Motorised) at the Forward Operating Base Pulka at about 8:45 am on June 14.

According to military sources available to Zagazola Makama, the teenager escaped from a terrorist enclave in Chikide, located in the Mandara Mountains, before voluntarily presenting himself to security personnel.

“He stated that continuous military pressure and the lack of necessities in the enclave made life increasingly difficult, leading him to escape and surrender,” a military source said.

Items recovered from him included 12 pieces of detergent and a wristwatch.

The source said the teenager has been screened, documented and placed in military custody in accordance with established procedures pending further action.

His surrender is the latest in a series of defections recorded in the North-East as Operation Hadin Kai continues counter-insurgency operations aimed at weakening terrorist networks and encouraging members and associates of insurgent groups to abandon the insurgency.

Military authorities noted that while the security situation across the theatre generally remains calm, troops remain vigilant and operationally prepared to respond to emerging threats.

16-year-old Boko Haram relative surrenders to troops in Borno