At least 50,000 Boko Haram terrorists, led by one of its top commanders, identified as Saleh Mustapha, also known as Ibn Kathir, have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai, Bama, Borno State.

The Defence Headquarters Media Operations Director, Major-General Benard Onyeuko, made this known to newsmen on Thursday, according to Premium Times.

He revealed that the terrorists who comprise 11,398 men, 15,381 women, and 24,335 children surrender to the military as of 5 April 2022.

Onyeuko described the surrendering of Ibn Kathir (the Commander of outlaws in the Garin Abba area of Taraba State) as an achievement for its ‘Operation Hadin Kai’.

He said, “Cumulatively, in the last two weeks troops recovered 1 Battle Tank, 5 artillery guns, 2 GTS, 3 AA guns, 1 Mine Resistance Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, 3 gun trucks, 1 MOWAG Armored Personnel Carrier, 2 RPG tubes, 3 RPG rockets, 3 RPG bombs, 1 NSVT gun, 2 GPMG, 1 light MG, 1 PKM, 3 GPMG belts, 4 belts of PKT rounds, 600 7.62mm NATO rounds, 16 AK 47 rifles, 1 dane gun, 270 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 1 Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 1 Golf saloon car, 4 motorcycles, 6 magazines, 2 pairs of camouflage, 2 terrorist flags, 1 tricycle and 1 active drone.

“Also, troops neutralized scores of terrorist arrests, 22 terrorist spies, 11 terrorists, 3 logistics suppliers and rescued 30 civilians. Of significance is the surrender of a high-profile terrorist Commander Sale Mustapha (Ibin Kathir) to troops in Bama.

“He was the Qaid of Garin Ba-Abba. A total of 51,114 Boko Haram terrorists and families surrendered to troops, comprising 11,398 men, 15,381 women, and 24,335 children as of 5 April 2022.

“Accordingly, all surrendered terrorists have been documented, while arrested, rescued civilians and recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further action.”