Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said the Nigerian army has recorded increased numbers of surrenders by terrorists, especially in north-central.
Gatekeepers News reports that Edward Buba, director of defence media operations said one of the several terrorist leaders and commanders who have surrendered is Yellow Jambros, a notorious kidnap kingpin.
Buba listed the remaining terrorists who surrendered as Alhaji Mallam, Ardo Idi (Alhaji Lawal), Lawal Kwalba, Salkado, Yellow Ibrahim, Gana’e and Babangida.
While giving a weekly update on the operations of the military on Saturday, Buba said terrorists in the north-central region are surrendering to troops, adding that a non-kinetic collaborative effort with stakeholders was deployed to encourage the process.
He said, “These surrenders are occasioned by overtures from the terrorist leadership based on troops onslaught against them.”
“Accordingly, several terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have so far surrendered with more indicating interest to surrender.”
“Notable terrorist that have surrendered include; Yellow Jambros, Alhaji Mallam, Ardo Idi(Alhaji Lawal), Lawal Kwalba, Salkado, Yellow Ibrahim, Gana’e and Babangida among others.”
“Nevertheless, troops will sustain its operational tempo in order to destroy or cause further surrendering by terrorists.”
However, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had in December 2023 said it killed Jambros in an airstrike in Shiroro LGA of Niger state.
Four months later, Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism publication focusing on Lake Chad region, reported that Jambros escaped a raid on his camp by the military.
The spokesperson noted that in the last week, troops killed at least 135 terrorists and arrested 185 suspects.
He added that 129 kidnap hostages were also rescued, while 61 oil thieves were also arrested.
Buba said the troops also recovered 113 assorted weapons and 2,415 ammunition, 15 vehicles, 46 motorcycles, and 28 mobile phones.
He noted that troops in Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 93 crude oil cooking ovens, 12 dugout pits, 37 boats, 127 drums, 41 storage tanks, and 82 illegal refining sites.
Buba said, “Other items recovered include one outboard engine, four speedboats, three HH radios, four motorcycles, five mobile phones and 14 vehicles.”
“Troops recovered 909,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 71,060 litres of illegally refined AGO and 13,580 litres of PMS.”
Buba expressed confidence that army remains in a winning position in the war against insurgency and terrorism.
