A 23-year-old suspected Boko Haram fighter, identified as Ali Saidiq, has surrendered to Nigerian troops in Borno State, handing over an AK-47 rifle and 26 rounds of ammunition.
Saidiq, a native of Garere in Kukawa Local Government Area, surrendered on Thursday during a stop-and-search operation at the Kwatan Alkama checkpoint.
The operation was conducted by troops of the 196 Amphibious Battalion and the Nigerian Army Brigade Lake Chad.
According to security sources, Saidiq voluntarily handed over an AK-47 rifle with registration number 02657 and a magazine containing 26 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect decided to surrender following sustained military pressure on terrorist elements operating in the area. Sources also said he had lost interest in continuing with terrorist activities.
Security sources described the development as another indication of the impact of intensified military operations on the capacity and morale of terrorist fighters operating in the Lake Chad axis.
Saidiq is currently in military custody for profiling and further investigation to determine his role within the terrorist group, his operational history and possible links to other members of the network.
His surrender comes amid ongoing military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist activities, restricting insurgents’ freedom of movement and encouraging fighters willing to abandon terrorism to surrender.
The recovered rifle and ammunition have been secured as investigations continue.
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