Major General Christopher Musa, Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Operation, HADIN KAI, announced this on Tuesday in Maiduguri, Borno State’s capital.

Musa, who was represented by Colonel Obinna Azuike, the Acting Theater Intelligence Coordinator, briefed journalists on the successes so far recorded in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East.

He revealed that plans have been made to transfer the detained Boko Haram terrorists to the Giwa Project in Kainji, Niger State, for prosecution.

According to the Acting Theater Intelligence Coordinator, a total of 1,893 terrorists are being detained at the Centre for Prosecution.

Azuike also stated another 323 terrorists, who willingly gave up their arms to embrace peace, were undergoing De-Radicalization, Demobilization and Rehabilitation (DDR) programme in Gombe State.

He said over 82,237 terrorists and their family members have so far surrendered to troops in various locations in the North East since July 2021.

The military official said out of the surrendered persons, 16,577 were active male fighters, 24,499 are women, and 41,161 are children.

He said, “Information obtained from detailed debriefings of the surrendered terrorists are being continually factored into the operations of the theatre. Such debriefings are routinely undertaken as more fighters continue to surrender in their numbers.

“Also, the commencement of a comprehensive Disarmament, De-radicalization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration programme by the Borno State government, in conjunction with International Organizations and Op Safe Corridor, will positively encourage the surrender of more persons and will be a catalyst to the ongoing peace process.”

Chibok Girls Rescue

Azuike said a total of 180 out of the 276 kidnapped Chibok school girls in 2014, have been rescued while 96 of the girls were still unaccounted for.

He added that soldiers have so far rescued 2,018 abducted persons, comprising 339 adult males, 660 adult females and 1,019 children in the last year.

He said: “The statistics of the 276 abducted Chibok School girls indicate that 57 girls escaped in 2014, 107 girls were released in 2018; three recovered in 2019; two recovered in 2021 and 11 girls rescued so far in 2022.

“This brings a total of 180 Chibok girls out of captivity, remaining 96 girls still unaccounted for. At present, over 2,018 persons, comprising 339 adult males, 660 adult females and 1,019 children have been rescued from terrorists’ captivity within the year.

”The Theatre Command OPHK will continue in its quest to rescue other persons held in captivity.”