Seven women believed to be family members of suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, accompanied by 12 children, have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The development is the latest indication of mounting pressure on terrorist enclaves in the North-East, where sustained military operations and reported clashes between rival factions continue to disrupt insurgent networks.
According to intelligence sources quoted by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, on Wednesday, the seven women surrendered to troops of 112 Task Force Battalion deployed in Mafa.
The women were identified as Falamatai Modu, 30, Kelu Yaga, 25, Fada Yaga, 30; Gwaya Kadi, 25, Hauwa Mallam, 25, Maryam Yusuf, 25; and Fanna Kadi, 40.
It was revealed that they were accompanied by 12 children, whose ages ranged from three months to 10 years.
Preliminary interrogation reportedly indicated that the women fled the Yaganari terrorist enclave because of severe hunger and growing concerns over their safety following violent clashes between rival terrorist factions.
The development comes amid intensified military operations aimed at disrupting terrorist strongholds, cutting off their logistics networks and denying insurgents freedom of movement across Borno State and other parts of the North-East.
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Military sources said the escapees were profiled and documented by troops following their surrender. They are expected to be handed over to the 24 Task Force Brigade Military Intelligence Regiment for further investigation, debriefing and appropriate action.
The surrender of the women and children adds to recent cases of family members of terrorist fighters abandoning insurgent enclaves as military pressure continues to mount.
The military noted that identifying and destroying terrorist logistics, sustained pressure on enclaves and the weakening of insurgent support structures are key elements of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
The latest development also highlights the humanitarian consequences of prolonged insurgent activity, particularly for women and children living within or around terrorist-controlled areas.
The military maintained that the general security situation across the North-East theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops continued to maintain a satisfactory level of morale and operational effectiveness.
Operation HADIN KAI is expected to sustain its offensive and intelligence-driven operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements, while facilitating the safe surrender of individuals willing to abandon terrorist enclaves in accordance with established procedures.