A 23-year-old suspected Boko Haram fighter, identified as Ali Saidiq, has surrendered to Nigerian troops in Borno State, handing over an AK-47 rifle and 26 rounds of ammunition.
Saidiq, a native of Garere in Kukawa Local Government Area of the state, reportedly surrendered at about 4:45 p.m. on Thursday during a stop-and-search operation at the Kwatan Alkama checkpoint.
The operation was carried out by troops of the 196 Amphibious Battalion and the Nigerian Army Brigade Lake Chad.
According to security sources cited by security analyst Zagazola Makama, Saidiq voluntarily handed over an AK-47 rifle with registration number 02657, alongside one magazine containing 26 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect decided to abandon the terrorist group following sustained military pressure against Boko Haram elements operating in the area.
Sources also said Saidiq had reportedly lost interest in continuing his involvement in terrorist activities before surrendering to the troops.
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His surrender comes amid intensified military operations targeting terrorist networks operating across Borno State and the wider Lake Chad region.
Saidiq is currently in military custody and undergoing profiling and further investigation. Authorities are expected to establish his alleged role within the terrorist group, his operational history and possible links to other members of the network.
The military is also expected to obtain intelligence from him that could assist ongoing operations against terrorist cells in the Lake Chad area.
The recovered rifle and ammunition have been secured as part of the investigation.
The development adds to recent military efforts to weaken terrorist networks in northeastern Nigeria through offensive operations, intelligence gathering, patrols, stop-and-search operations and raids on suspected hideouts.
Security authorities have continued to encourage members of terrorist groups willing to abandon the insurgency to surrender and hand over their weapons, noting that such actions can provide valuable intelligence while reducing the groups’ access to arms and manpower.
The Lake Chad region remains a major theatre of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign, with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) factions continuing to operate in parts of Borno and neighbouring areas.
Saidiq’s surrender could provide security agencies with further intelligence on terrorist activities and the structure and movements of insurgent networks in the region.
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