Boko Haram Bomb Specialists Surrender to Multinational Task Force Combatting Terrorism in Borno State

On Monday, security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama reported via a post on X that two terrorists, known as Abubakar Mohammed (also called Garba), aged 19, and Bana Modu, aged 13, surrendered to Sector 3 of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in Monguno, Borno State. They are reportedly bomb specialists from Boko Haram. 

Makama shared that this surrender occurred on Sunday and highlighted it as a significant victory in the effort to dismantle Boko Haram's activities within the region. He included pictures of the surrendered individuals in his post.

In an interrogation, Mohammed and Modu disclosed that they were tasked with placing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the roads in Doron Baga and Fish Dam located in Baga, part of the Kukawa Local Government Area in Borno State, Nigeria. However, instead of completing their mission, they chose to flee with the IEDs and give themselves up to the MNJTF. 

"This decision was motivated by the recently completed Operation NASHRUL SALAM by the MNJTF, which is a non-kinetic operation integrating personal engagement strategies and demonstrating the impact of psychological operations in combating terrorism.

Recovered from Mohammed and Modu were two IEDs, two mobile phones, and fifty-three thousand Naira (N53,000.00).

Additionally, Makama reported on the recent discovery of a bakery operated by the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Maisani, located within the Timbuktu Triangle in the Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. 

"This discovery was part of Operation Lake Sanity III and Operation Hadin Kai, conducted by the 199 Special Forces Battalion, Hybrid Forces, and Civilian JTF. According to sources, the bakery was destroyed, and items such as two Lister generating plants, one baking machine, and various baking supplies were seized during the operation.