File: Nigerian troops

The Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF said a top terrorist fighter has abandoned his armed group and voluntarily surrendered alongside his wife and child to its troops currently engaged in  coordinated and targeted artillery and air interdiction on ISWAP / Boko Haram enclave in the recesses of the Lake Chad Basin.

MNJTF is carrying out the operation in conjunction with national operations in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria, as well as strategic partners.

Colonel Timothy Antigha, Chief of Military Public Information, MNJTF, in a statement on Saturday said the operations have continued to yield positive outcomes in the war against terrorism in the Lake Chad Area, citing the defection of the alleged top ranking fighter of the terror group.

According to him,  the defector disclosed to troops that he joined ISWAP / Boko Haram in 2015 and took part in terrorist operations in Arege, Kangarwa, Metele and Mallam Fatori.

He added that the defector who voluntarily denounced ISWAP / Boko Haram also said more fighters of the terrorist groups have indicated their readiness to surrender to troops.

He said, “Yesterday, 29 May 2020 a top terrorist fighter abandoned the armed group and escaped with his wife and child to a location which cannot be disclosed for security reasons.

“The defector voluntarily denounced ISWAP / Boko Haram and surrendered to troops of the MNJTF.

He disclosed that he joined ISWAP / Boko Haram in 2015 and took part in terrorist operations in Arege, Kangarwa, Metele and Mallam Fatori.

“Responding to questions about his decision to surrender, the defector said: “Constant artillery and air bombardments have greatly affected our plans and dampened our morale”

“Continuing, he said “more fighters are ready to surrender, but they are uncertain of what fate awaits them”.

“Pressed for more answers on his personal motivation, he said, “I am not sure if our spiritual direction is correct”. (All attributions were interpretated into English).

Antigha recalled that in March this year, a group of ISWAP / Boko Haram Terrorists surrounded in Sector Four in Diffa, Niger Republic.

He added that within the same period, some terrorists also capitulated and surrendered to troops of Sector One in Mora, Cameroon and are currently being rehabilitated. Boko Haram defectors in Sector Three (Nigeria) are also being rehabilitated through Operation SAFE CORRIDOR.

“While MNJTF will continue to intensify the tempo of its kinetic operations on all fronts, it  encourages more terrorists to reject terrorism and abandon the needless killing of innocent civilians. They are further encouraged to seek redemption within the structures provided for rehabilitation within the different jurisdictions,” he added.