Teenagers planting IEDs for Boko Haram surrender to military

The Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) says two persons planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for Boko Haram, 19-year-old Abubakar Mohammed (alias Garba) and 13-year-old Bana Modu, have surrendered.

According to the Chief Military Public Information-Ndjamena, Lieutenant Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi said the surrender took place on Sunday in Monguno Government Area of Borno State.

He said it marked a notable success in the ongoing campaign to dismantle Boko Haram operations in the region.

He said, “During a preliminary investigation, Mohammed and Modu revealed they had been ordered to plant IEDs along roads, Doron Baga and Fish Dam in Baga, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

“Instead of carrying out their mission, they decided to abandon their task, escape with the IEDs and surrender to the MNJTF. Their decision was influenced by the MNJTF recently concluded Operation NASHRUL SALAM, a non-kinetic operation and sector’s personal engagement strategy with relevant sources, showcasing the effectiveness of psychological operations in the fight against terrorism.

“Items recovered from them include two IEDs, two mobile phones, and a sum of N53,000 only from Mohammed and Modu.

“This development underscores the MNJTF’s commitment to encouraging other terrorists hiding in the Lake Chad islands to come out, surrender and lay down their arms, in a bid to achieve sustainable peace in the region.”

Col. Abdullahi reiterated that the MNJTF remained dedicated to its mission of restoring peace and normalcy to the Lake Chad Basin.