Two senior Boko Haram commanders have made the decision to surrender to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) after a decade and a half of conflict with the military. This significant development was confirmed by Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, the MNJTF spokesperson, in a statement released on Tuesday.
The commanders, Ibrahim Muhammed and Auwal Muhammed, also known as WANKA, were part of the Bakura Buduma faction and were responsible for orchestrating attacks in various areas surrounding Lake Chad. Their surrender comes as a result of the relentless efforts of the MNJTF in conducting both kinetic and non-kinetic operations targeting terrorist groups operating within Sector 3 of the MNJTF.
These individuals were actively leading operations in the Lake Chad Islands until they made the courageous decision to lay down their arms and seek peace. During interrogation, both Muhammed and WANKA disclosed their extensive 15-year involvement with the Bakura Buduma faction, based in Kwallaram on the Lake Chad islands.
Furthermore, a substantial amount of weapons was recovered by the MNJTF following the surrender of the two commanders. The cache included AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition, hand grenades, handheld radios, and mobile phones. This recovery highlights the significance of the event, with specific items such as AK-47 rifles, magazines, ammunition, and electronic devices belonging to the surrendered fighters.
At present, the surrendered individuals are in custody for further investigation as the MNJTF continues its efforts to combat terrorism in the region. This development marks a significant step towards peace and security in the Lake Chad Basin, demonstrating the effectiveness of the MNJTF’s operations in dismantling terrorist networks.
