By Milcah Tanimu

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) reported that 263 Boko Haram terrorists and their families have surrendered at the Nigeria-Cameroon border between July 10 and 17, 2024, as part of the ongoing Operation Lake Sanity 2.

Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Military Public Information Officer for HQ MNJTF in N’djamena, Chad, stated that the wave of surrenders began on July 11, 2024, when five terrorists surrendered to MNJTF troops in Wulgo, on the Nigeria-Cameroon border. Preliminary investigations revealed that these individuals came from Tumbuma and Kutumgulla in Marte Local Government Area, Nigeria.

On the same day, a 50-year-old terrorist, Malum Kori Bukar, escaped from the Jibilaram hideout and surrendered to the troops. Additionally, 19 terrorists surrendered in Madaya, extreme North Cameroon, and 11 more in Wulgo from the Tumbuma hideout in two waves.

The trend continued on July 12, 2024, with 64 individuals surrendering in Bonderi, Cameroon, including 6 adult males, 20 women, and 38 children. On July 13, 27 terrorists surrendered, followed by 102 individuals on July 15, including 20 adult men, 40 women, and 42 children. On July 16, two more terrorists surrendered, and on July 17, a total of 48 terrorists and their families, comprising 10 adult males, 15 females, and 23 children, surrendered.

Preliminary investigations confirmed that all the surrendered individuals are Nigerians. They were subsequently handed over to the troops of Operation HADIN KAI for further action.