17 ISWAP-linked persons surrender to troops amid factional clashes, hardship in Borno camps
By: Zagazola Makama
No fewer than 17 persons linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including terrorist family members and one suspected fighter, have surrendered to Nigerian Army troops in different parts of Borno State amid reported factional clashes, internal disagreements and hardship within terrorist enclaves.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the surrenders occurred between Sept. 19 and Sept. 25, 2026, across Dikwa, Bama and Ngala Local Government Areas of the state.
The development included women and children who reportedly fled terrorist-controlled locations, as well as a suspected terrorist who escaped from a camp before surrendering to troops.
The first case was recorded at about 12:42 p.m. on Sept. 19, when a woman identified as a terrorist family member surrendered with her two children to troops of 24 Task Force Brigade at Check Point 1 along the Dikwa-Ajiri road in Dikwa LGA.
The woman and her children were taken into custody for preliminary screening and further action.
At about 8:10 a.m. on Sept. 21, another woman and her child surrendered to troops of the same brigade at the checkpoint along the Dikwa-Ajiri axis.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the woman had escaped from the Yaganari terrorist enclave to Gonori village in Mafa LGA following factional clashes among the terrorists.
She reportedly disclosed that her husband, identified as Bakura Modu, was an ISWAP fighter.
The woman and her child were subsequently kept in the custody of 24 Task Force Brigade for further investigation.
Later that day, at about 2:00 p.m., three additional terrorist family members surrendered to troops of 151 Battalion at Bula Daloye in Bama LGA.
The three persons were taken into custody and subsequently processed for further action.
On Sept. 24, at about 11:24 a.m., troops of 24 Task Force Brigade received the surrender of a suspected terrorist at Check Point 1 along the Dikwa-Ajiri road.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had escaped from a terrorist camp in Gargash before reaching the military checkpoint.
He was taken into custody for further investigation and profiling.
Also on Sept. 24, at about 5:20 p.m., seven terrorist family members surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion (Mechanised) at the Arabic IDP Camp in Ngala community, Ngala LGA.
The seven persons were handed over to officials of the IDP camp for management and further necessary action.
The latest incident occurred at about 1:55 p.m. on Sept. 25, when a woman and her son surrendered to troops in Bama.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the woman had escaped from a terrorist camp in Bula Daloye following internal disagreements and hardship within the enclave.
She reportedly identified herself as a native of Bula Daloye village and disclosed that she was married to a terrorist fighter identified as Ibrahim Usman.
The woman and her son remain in military custody pending further investigation.
The series of incidents indicates that the pressure within some terrorist enclaves may be affecting not only fighters but also their families and associates, with several of those who surrendered reportedly leaving because of factional violence, internal disagreements and difficult living conditions.
The surrenders also came amid intensified military pressure by troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK)and the Air Component of the Nigerian Armed Forces against terrorist positions across the North-East. Sustained ground operations, patrols, clearance activities and air interdictions have continued to disrupt terrorist movements and logistics, putting pressure on enclaves and limiting the freedom of movement of fighters and their families.
Security sources said the growing pressure has also contributed to the movement of some terrorist family members out of the enclaves, particularly as access to food, mobility and other essential supplies becomes increasingly difficult.
The combination of military pressure, internal factional clashes and deteriorating conditions within some camps is believed to have encouraged more families and associates of the terrorists to abandon the enclaves and surrender to security forces.
The persons remain under the custody or management of the relevant military formations and camp authorities for further processing and necessary action.
