Troops kill one, as Boko Haram commander surrenders

The High Command of the Nigerian Army, says a notorious Boko Haram commander, identified as Babakarami Balawan, has surrendered to its troops deployed for counter terrorism operations.

The Army also said that the troops conducted a series of operations that resulted in the rescue of abducted persons, neutralization of a notorious terrorist, interception of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil (AGO), and seizure of arms.

This is contained in a statement by the Nigeria Army, saying that in Kogi State, troops responded swiftly to a distress call along the Obajana Oshokoshoko road, where some civilians were abducted and taken into the forest.

The statement also explained that the troops moved in swiftly to locate the victims, where they had a fierce shoot-out with the kidnappers and successfully extricated the hostages.

The Army added that troops in Imo State acting on credible intelligence intercepted a vehicle transporting 21 sacks of illegally refined diesel (AGO), stressing that it also arrested armed individuals who were hired to escort the illegal product.

The statement said: “In another development in Borno State, a notorious Boko Haram fighter named Babakarami Balawan has surrendered to troops in Bama Local Government Area, following aggressive onslaught on terrorists’ hideouts in the area.

“Items recovered from the terrorist are one AK 49 rifle, a magazine, and a bicycle. The same troops during an encounter neutralized two terrorists and recovered 11 rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, 23 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, three rounds of 5.56 mm x 45mm NATO ammunition, and three empty magazines.

“Relatedly, the gallant troops also rescued a woman and her two children in a search and operation in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State”.