Over 200 terrorists were killed in a fresh battle of supremacy between the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram factions.
Sources said more than 200 Boko Haram fighters and their families members were slaughtered by the rival gang.
The battle took place at Gezuwa camp known to be one of the terrorists’ dreaded enclaves in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Meanwhile, a security source revealed that more than 560 insurgents of Boko Haram insurgents including top commanders, fighters and abductees had surrendered to the military.
The insurgents surrendered in Bama, Mafa, and Konduga local government areasin the state.
Soldiers from the 25 Task Force Brigade of Operation Hadin Kai with the help of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) dislodged Gezuwa and Mantari general areas last month.
It was learnt that the ISWAP faction took over the camp, after the military crackdown on the camp, which further intensified the rivalry between the two groups.
“As the crisis intensified, top commanders from the Boko Haram faction, including Laminu, who was in charge of the group’s gun trucks, and the handler of other lethal weapons, conceded defeat and decided to surrender to the Nigerian authorities.
“Others include Baana Mainari who was Amir Zakkat, a commander in charge of collecting dues and paying levies; K. Sheriff, the Amir Safara in charge of transportation, and Ba’agoyi Munzir, who served as an informant,” a top source revealed.
A security expert in the Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama, revealed that at least 1,250 fleeing Boko Haram fighters and families have surrendered to the Nigerian troops in the country’s North East in the last seven days following a deadly clash with the rival ISWAP that claimed over 200 lives.
According to Makama, the ISWAP attacked another hideout in Asinari, Ashanari and Masarmari area in Konduga on March 1, killing scores of other fighters.
He said the continuous inter-rivalry clash of the groups led to the massive surrendering of the militants in Mafa, Konduga and Bama local government areas.
“So far, we have received 1,250 fighters and their families within one week. This overwhelming number was the highest we have received in a very short period in different parts of the theatre.
“The surrendered suspects who also came out with about 1,000 livestock confessed that the ISWAP were after their lives as they do not spare women and children,” Makama added.
