In a significant development, 69 Boko Haram terrorists and their families have surrendered to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) authorities in Cameroon and Niger. This mass surrender marks the success of a recent operation by the MNJTF, a coalition force comprising troops from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, aimed at combating terrorism and restoring peace in the Lake Chad Basin region.
Lieutenant Colonel Ndjamena Chad, Chief Military Public Information Officer of HQ MNJTF, announced the successful facilitation of the surrender and rescue operations that took place between July 1 and July 6, 2024. The MNJTF’s intensified military efforts and strategic operations have significantly pressured Boko Haram insurgents, leading to increased defections within the group.
The official reports indicate that the surrendering individuals include combatants, women, and children, signifying a notable weakening of Boko Haram’s operational capacity. Lieutenant Colonel Chad’s statement emphasized that this development is a major victory for the MNJTF and a hopeful step towards stabilizing the region and ensuring the safety of its inhabitants.
On July 6, 2024, a combined maritime operation by Cameroonian and Nigerian forces in Sector 1, Cameroon, led to the surrender of 56 Boko Haram terrorists, including 13 adult men and 43 women and children. Additionally, on the same day, 12 family members of terrorists, comprising 5 women and 7 children, were rescued and handed over to the troops of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, in Gamboru and Banki for further action.
Furthermore, on July 1, 2024, troops of Sector 4, Niger Republic, received 24-year-old Tijjani Muhammad, who surrendered with an AK-47 rifle, 4 magazines, and numerous 7.62mm rounds. Muhammad reported escaping from a Boko Haram camp in Libye Soroa, driven by the ongoing Operation Lake Sanity 2.
The MNJTF’s statement highlighted that the increasing number of surrenders is significantly undermining Boko Haram’s operational capability and morale. The MNJTF urges other terrorists to take advantage of the opportunity to surrender to the authorities for lasting peace in the Lake Chad Basin region.
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