End of Boko Haram: 268 members surrender to Nigerian Troops

 

I recall President Jonathan declaring that, “things will change come next month”… Less than 20 days to that declaration, Boko Haram menace is becoming a thing of the past.

I am so happy and #ProudlyNigerian. Why???

The Daily Independent reports that a total of 268 Boko Haram insurgents have again surrendered with their ammunition to the Nigerian troops on Tuesday alone.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) which disclosed this on Wednesday noted  that the terrorists made not less than four attempts between September 12 – 17, 2014 to beat the security and enter Konduga to perpetrate their atrocities but were repelled, killing many of them in the process.

It vowed to deal severely with anyone that assumes the position of Shekau since one Mohammed Bashir who had been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau known as leader of the group, has been killed.

“A total of 135 terrorists have Wednesday evening surrendered along with equipment to troops around Biu Local Government Area.

A group of 88 submitted themselves at Mairiga/Bun – Yadi while another group of 45 terrorists were taken in around Mubi – Michika.  They are all being interrogated and processed in conformity with the dictates of standard best practices.

“Nigerian troops have been conducting co-ordinated air and land operations in furtherance of efforts at containing the terrorists in the North East part of the country,” the statement said.

At a point, it became apparent that the terrorists in continuation of their campaign of terror were determined to take over communities around Maiduguri which had been their prime target.

“There was therefore the need to ensure that communities such as Konduga were protected as air and land forces were subsequently deployed to handle the situation.

“The convoy of combat vehicles typical of terrorists’ mission that involves their top commanders were fiercely engaged by the land and air forces.  Several of the terrorists including some of their commanders lost their lives in the encounters which lasted an average of about five hours each.

“The troops captured some of the terrorists and their equipment.  In the course of those encounters, one Mohammed Bashir who has been acting or posing on videos as the deceased Abubakar Shekau, the eccentric character known as leader of the group died.

“Since the name Shekau has become a brand name for the terrorists’ leader, the Nigerian military remains resolute to serve justice to anyone who assumes that designation or title as well as all terrorists that seek to violate the freedom and territory of Nigeria,”a the DHQ stated.

On restoring normalcy after the encounter, the DHQ stated that inhabitants of the community who were victims of terrorists activities corroborated information on the identity of Bashir Mohammed alias Abubakar Shekau, alias Abacha Abdullahi Geidam alias Damasack etc.