Olusegun Ariyo
A Boko Haram fighter has surrendered to troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade Joint Task Force (JTF) Operation Hadin Kai in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State and called on other insurgents to renounce terrorism.
This was contained in a post by security analyst Zagazola Makama on his official X handle on Sunday.
According to the report, the insurgent, who operated under the notorious Boko Haram commander Ali Ngulde in the Mandara Mountains, turned himself in at about 11:30 a.m. on March 1 to troops conducting piqueting duties along the Gwoza-Limankara Road.
He handed over one AK-47 rifle and a magazine containing seven rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.
The defector attributed his decision to intensified military operations, oppression from Boko Haram leaders, internal injustice, and a growing food crisis due to supply route blockages.
“Many of our people want to lay down their arms, but they fear that they will be killed by both our leaders and the Nigerian military,” he revealed.
He further expressed relief after surrendering, saying, “I never thought it would be this easy to lay down my gun and come out. I am sure when they see this, they will start running out from the bushes to surrender.”
The fighter urged remaining insurgents in the Mandara Mountains to abandon terrorism and embrace peace.
The post further revealed that the Nigerian military has since taken the surrendered insurgent into custody for profiling and further necessary actions.
