Soldiers Kill Terrorists, Arrest Collaborators In Borno, Yobe Operations

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have intensified counterinsurgency operations across Borno and Yobe states, killing suspected terrorists, arresting collaborators, and recording fresh surrenders from insurgent family members and fighters.

According to the Defence Headquarters’ operations report covering May 15 to 21, troops deployed in Kirawa conducted clearance operations through Valle, Ashigashiya, and Gakara communities in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, where two terrorists were neutralised during an encounter on May 15.

The military also disclosed that troops, alongside local hunters, raided Kwayar Kusar Market on May 16 and arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and terrorist collaborators allegedly attempting to sell six cows on behalf of insurgents.

The statement noted that sustained military pressure and worsening conditions within insurgent enclaves had forced more terrorists and their relatives to surrender.

On May 17, an adult male relative of a terrorist reportedly escaped from the Kwatara enclave in the Mandara Mountains and surrendered to troops along the Gwoza-Limankara route due to hardship and lack of basic supplies.

Similarly, on May 19, two women and seven children surrendered to troops in Dikwa Local Government Area, while another woman identified as Alisha Sale also turned herself in on the same day.

Troops further arrested a female collaborator near Baga in Kukawa LGA on May 20 for allegedly supplying food items and hijabs to her son, Modu Mustapha, whom the military described as a notorious terrorist commander operating in Mobbar LGA.

On the same day, a 20-year-old suspect, Babakaka Bukar, surrendered at the Forward Operating Base in Mairari, Nganzai LGA, handing over an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a mobile phone.

The military added that another suspected logistics supplier was arrested at Bama checkpoint on May 21 with food items allegedly meant for insurgents.

In neighbouring Yobe State, troops also recovered an AK-47 rifle and ammunition reportedly abandoned by fleeing terrorists.