No fewer than 17 persons linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), including members of terrorists’ families and a suspected fighter, have surrendered to Nigerian military troops in different parts of Borno State.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the surrenders occurred between September 19 and 25, 2026, across Dikwa, Bama and Ngala Local Government Areas of the state.

Women and Children Among Those Who Surrendered

On September 19, a woman identified as a terrorist family member reportedly surrendered with her two children to troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade at Checkpoint 1 along the Dikwa-Ajiri Road.

Another woman and her child later surrendered at the same checkpoint after reportedly escaping from the Yaganari terrorist enclave to Gonori Village in Mafa Local Government Area following factional clashes. She reportedly told authorities that her husband, Bakura Modu, was an ISWAP fighter.

Three additional terrorist family members reportedly surrendered to troops of the 151 Battalion at Bula Daloye in Bama Local Government Area.

Suspected Fighter Also Surrenders

On September 24, a suspected terrorist reportedly surrendered to troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade after escaping from a camp in Gargash.

Seven other terrorist family members surrendered to troops of the 3 Mechanised Battalion at the Arabic IDP Camp in Ngala.

The latest reported surrender occurred on September 25, when a woman from Bula Daloye and her son surrendered to troops in Bama. Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that she had escaped from a terrorist camp following internal disagreements and hardship within the enclave.

She reportedly disclosed that her husband, Ibrahim Usman, was a terrorist fighter.

Rep Commends Military Operations

Meanwhile, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for what he described as recent successes against terrorism and banditry.

Agbese said recent military operations in the North-East and North-West reflected a shift towards sustained offensive operations targeting terrorist formations, logistics networks and support structures.

He attributed the reported gains to improved intelligence, air and ground operations, and increased coordination between the military services and other security agencies.

Agbese also cautioned against complacency, calling for continued investment in military equipment, intelligence, surveillance, logistics and the welfare of security personnel.

The reported surrenders are expected to provide security agencies with additional information about terrorist camps, movements and internal dynamics in the affected areas.