Boko Haram Improvised Explosive Device Experts Surrender to MNJTF in Monguno- Nigeria

By: Zagazola Makama

The Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) Monguno, Nigeria, has reported continued surrender of terrorists in its Area of Operations. Among the latest to lay down their arms were two individuals identified as improvised explosive device (IED) experts, 19-year-old Abubakar Mohammed (alias Garba) and 13-year-old Bana Modu. The surrender took place on 21 April 2024, marking a notable success in the ongoing campaign to dismantle Boko Haram's operations in the region.

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 of Borno State Nigeria. 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 fifty-three thousand Naira (N53,000.00) 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. The MNJTF remains dedicated to its mission of restoring peace and facilitating the return of normalcy to the Lake Chad Basin.