The Nigerian military is reported to have seized over 700 vehicles and a large cache of arms and ammunitions after a raid on the Islamic sect’s largest operational base in the North East.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, said in an emailed statement that several of the terrorists who were apprehended near Lake Chad were begging for mercy.
“In their confessions, it was revealed that some of the camps have been disbanded following the directive of their clerics who declared that the operation of the sect had come to an end as the mission could no longer be sustained.
“The captured terrorists, who are giving useful information as to the locations of their remnant forces, are full of apologies and pleas for their lives to be spared promising to cooperate,” the statement reads in part.
He said some of the terrorists also complained of starvation and the tireless pounding of air raids as some of the reasons why they were forced to surrender.
“They confirmed that starvation was a major problem in addition to ceaseless bombardments on the camp locations even when they kept relocating. They also confirm that several members of the group have been wounded and no treatment was forthcoming. Troops have continued their assault on other locations across the states covered by the state of emergency.
“Meanwhile, members of the public who have started visiting to engage in sight-seeing in some dislodged camps and fringes of forests such as Sambisa and others have been warned to desist from doing so as the tendency will no more be condoned where operations are still ongoing.
“The general area still remains a theatre and movement remains restricted as the environment has to be cleared for safety of citizens. The public will be informed when the locations are safe enough.”