Four family members linked to terr0rist groups have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI after escaping from an insurgent hideout in the Mandara Mountains of Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.

According to intelligence sources who spoke to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the individuals surrendered at about 8:30 a.m. on July 10 to troops of C Company, 192 Battalion (Mechanised), stationed in Gwoza.

The group consisted of two women, a 15-year-old boy, and a 10-month-old baby who reportedly fled the Kunde te√rorist enclave, one of the remaining strongholds used by Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters in the Mandara Mountains.

The surrendered individuals were identified as Hauwa Muhammadu, 40; Aisha Muhammadu, 22; Adamu Muhammadu, 15; and 10-month-old Muhammad Mustapha.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the family escaped due to sustained military offensives against the terr0rists and the worsening humanitarian conditions inside the camp.

“The family disclosed that continuous offensive operations by troops, coupled with severe shortages of food and other basic necessities, made survival in the enclave increasingly difficult, forcing them to flee,” a military source said.

During the screening exercise, troops reportedly recovered a total of ₦32,100 from the family.

Military sources said the four individuals have been screened, documented, and are currently in the custody of the 192 Battalion for further profiling and other necessary administrative procedures.

Security sources added that the sustained ground and air operations by Operation HADIN KAI have continued to dismantle terrorist strongholds across the Mandara Mountains and the Sambisa axis, leading to a growing number of escapes and surrenders by family members and other individuals previously living in insurgent-controlled camps.

They also noted that the increasing surrender of women and children highlights the mounting pressure on terrorist enclaves as military operations intensify across Nigeria’s North-East.