A 16-year-old girl suspected to be a family member of Boko Haram insurgents has surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI after escaping from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security intelligence sources told Nigerian Military that the teenager, identified as Amina Ali, surrendered to troops of C Company, 192 Battalion (Main), in Gwoza at about 9:50 a.m. on July 30.
According to the sources, preliminary interrogation revealed that Amina fled the Guduf Bubayagwa terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains after enduring severe hardship and poor living conditions.
She reportedly told troops that the lack of basic necessities in the camp made life unbearable, prompting her to escape and seek safety with the military.
The sources disclosed that the teenager has undergone the military’s standard screening and documentation procedures for individuals fleeing insurgent controlled territories.
She is currently in military custody pending further profiling, as well as humanitarian and administrative processes.
Military authorities said the latest surrender highlights the sustained pressure being mounted on Boko Haram and ISWAP enclaves under Operation HADIN KAI, which they say has contributed to deteriorating conditions inside insurgent camps and encouraged more defections and escapes.
The sources added that while the overall security situation across the North-East theatre remains relatively calm, troops continue offensive operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, noting that the security environment remains unpredictable.
