Top ISWAP commanders, 76 soldiers surrender to troops in Northeast (Photos)

Top leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province and 76 of its fighters, along with their family members, have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Nigeria’s North-East.

The Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Muhammad Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday night.

According to Goni, the insurgents laid down their weapons and abandoned their hideouts following sustained military offensives and increased pressure from troops operating across the region.

The statement reads “The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has continued to record significant operational successes in the ongoing counter terrorism campaign against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists through sustained operations backed by credible, timely and actionable intelligence.

“In another major breakthrough, a fresh group of top ISWAP terrorist leaders have abandoned their enclaves and surrendered to troops within the North-East theatre of operations.

Among those who surrendered, he said are key members of the terrorist network due to relentless military pressure.

“They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing and other established procedures in accordance with extant operational protocols.

“Within the last week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers with some families surrendered to troops” he added.

Goni, however, noted that the development highlights the devastating impact of the sustained offensive by Operation Hadin Kai which continues to dismantle terrorist strongholds, disrupt command and logistics structures and deny the insurgents freedom of action across the theatre.

“Persistent military operations have continued to degrade the terrorists’ combat capabilities while eroding confidence within their ranks and leadership” he stated.

Goni further added that the operational gains demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nigerian military’s comprehensive counter terrorism and counter insurgency strategy, combining precision combat operations, intelligence led engagements and coordinated joint efforts with partners.

He assured that Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mission to completely defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.

“The pressure on the remaining terrorist elements will continue unabated until they are completely neutralised or forced to surrender” the statement added.

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