Two commanders of the Boko Haram faction of Bakoura Buduma surrendered to the Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, on 25th March, 2024.
The surrendered individuals, Ibrahim Muhammed and Auwal Muhammed, also known as “Wanka,” were identified as active commanders operating in the Lake Chad islands.
Officials believe their decision to defect stems from mounting pressure from ongoing military operations by the MNJTF.
“This breakthrough is attributed to the intensified kinetic and non-kinetic operations targeting terrorist groups within Sector 3 MNJTF,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Abdullahi Abubakar, MNJTF spokesperson, in a press release on Tuesday.
During questioning, the ex-insurgents revealed a 15-year affiliation with the Bakoura Buduma faction, operating out of Kwallaram in the Lake Chad Islands. They also surrendered weapons including an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, and a mobile phone.
This surrender comes just days after news of two other Boko Haram members surrendering in the region in February 2024. These developments are seen as a potential turning point in the fight against the extremist group.
The MNJTF, a combined force of troops from Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon, and Benin, has been working to dismantle Boko Haram for over a decade.
Boko Haram is responsible for numerous acts of violence in the Lake Chad region, displacing millions and causing a severe humanitarian crisis.
While the surrender of these commanders is a positive step, the fight against Boko Haram is far from over. The MNJTF continues its operations to bring peace and stability to the Lake Chad region.
Ezinwanne Onwuka, senior staff reporter and columnist with WAP is a Nigerian-based writer and content developer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her interests include reading, writing, researching and graphic designing.
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