The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the Nigerian army has recorded increased numbers of surrenders by terrorists, especially in the north-central.
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 Alhaji Mallam, Ardo Idi (Alhaji Lawal), Lawal Kwalba, Salkado, Yellow Ibrahim, Gana’e and Babangida as others who have surrendered.
Buba, who was giving a weekly update on the operations of the military on Saturday, 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.
“These surrenders are occasioned by overtures from the terrorist leadership based on troops onslaught against them,” Buba said.
“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.”
But in December 2023, the Nigerian Air force (NAF) said it killed Jambros in an airstrike in Shiroro LGA of Niger state.
Four months later, Zagazola Makama, a counter-terrorism publication focusing on the Lake Chad region, reported that Jambros escaped a raid on his camp by the military.
Buba did not specify exactly when the terrorist leaders surrendered. He did not pick calls put through by TheCable to seek clarification, or respond to messages as of press time.
’135 Terrorists Killed In One Week’
The defence spokesperson said 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.
According to Buba, troops in the 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.
“Other items recovered include one outboard engine, four speedboats, three HH radios, four motorcycles, five mobile phones and 14 vehicles,” Buba said.
“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.
