Two suspected Boko Haram Improvised Explosive Device (IED) specialists, Abubakar Mohammed and Bana Modu, have surrendered to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) troops in Borno State.
The announcement was made by Abubakar Abdullahi, the Chief Military Public Information Officer in Ndjamena, in a statement released on Monday from Maiduguri.
According to Abdullahi, the surrender occurred during a clearance operation conducted by the troops on Sunday, April 21.
Alongside the surrender, the troops also seized two IEDs, two mobile phones, and N53,000 in cash from the suspects.
During interrogation, Mohammed and Modu disclosed that they had been tasked by their Boko Haram commanders to plant IEDs along roads leading to Doron Baga and a fish farm in Baga, both located in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
However, instead of carrying out their orders, they opted to abandon their mission, absconded with the IEDs, and surrendered to the MNJTF.
“Instead of carrying out their mission, they decided to abandon their task, escape with the IEDs and surrender to the MNJTF.
“Their decision was influenced by the MNJTF’s recently concluded Operation NASHRUL SALAM, a non-kinetic operation, and the sector’s personal engagement strategy with relevant sources, showcasing the effectiveness of psychological operations in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
Additionally, the personal engagement strategy employed by the MNJTF’s personnel with relevant sources played a significant role in convincing the suspects to surrender.
Abdullahi emphasised the MNJTF’s commitment to encouraging other terrorists operating in the Lake Chad region to follow suit and surrender, promising that the troops would continue their relentless efforts to eradicate terrorism from the region and ensure lasting peace.
