Sixteen suspected members of Boko Haram have surrendered to soldiers in Balazala and AhamdagaMakaranta villages in Dure district of Borno State.
They include three ameers (leaders) in the sect hierarchy: Hamidu Buba (emeer of tailors), Musa Buba (ameer of mechanics), and Ali Idrissa, (ameer of carpenters), according to the Army Acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman.
The rest, the army claimed, confessed to be “Rijan” (fighters) who have participated in various Boko Haram attacks on villages and towns.
The repentant terrorists said the ongoing crackdown operation was taking a toll on them as they could barely survive.
They also stated that the sect has run out of food and members now survive on roots and unripe mangoes.
They also said two of their colleagues who were sent for food were killed at the Frigi crossing point some days earlier by troops.
