Three suspected fighters linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered to Nigerian troops in Damasak, Borno State, following sustained military operations against insurgent hideouts in the North-East.
The surrender reportedly took place during ongoing counter-insurgency operations under Operation Hadin Kai. Military sources said the suspects decided to lay down their arms after months of relentless aerial bombardments and ground assaults that weakened terrorist camps across the region.
The surrendered individuals were identified as Abba Musa Dogo, 24, Abubakar Bargaji, 28, and Ibrahim Abubakar, 16. They are believed to have escaped from camps in Sabon Gari and Tunbun Mota, where ISWAP fighters had been operating.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly told security operatives that continuous military offensives had made survival in the camps increasingly difficult. They said the sustained pressure forced them to abandon the insurgent group and seek safety by surrendering to government forces.
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The trio also disclosed that they had received training to operate gunboats and anti-aircraft weapons for missions around the Lake Chad region. According to them, weapons were only issued before specific operations and collected immediately afterward by their commanders, indicating strict control over arms within the group.
The suspects further expressed their readiness to renounce insurgency and cooperate with security agencies as part of efforts to restore peace in the region.
Military authorities have taken the three into custody for profiling and further investigation. Security officials say the development reflects the growing impact of ongoing military operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and encouraging more insurgents to surrender.
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