NIGERIA: Boko Haram members surrendering in droves

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has said Boko Haram insurgents have been surrendering in large number due to the reinvigorated military onslaught by troops of the ‘Operation Zaman Lafiya Dole.’ He made this known yesterday at a press conference to kick-start activities for the 52nd anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) themed: ‘Reuniting for enhanced service delivery and operational effectiveness.’

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar

“Looking at where we are coming from, I think we have done substantially well. In those days in 2014, you had convoys of vehicles moving round villages and killing Nigerians but it is no longer so,” he said.

“Many of them are surrendering in large numbers, we have seen that they are surrendering because they know that there is no escape,” the CAS stated.

Abubakar said the NAF provides air power for ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ in the North-East, ‘Safe Haven’ in the North-Central, ‘Pulo Shield’ in the South-South, ‘Awatse’ in the South-West and ‘Sharan Daji’ in the North-West. He said under his watch NAF has conducted 1,577 missions totaling 3,424 flying hours in ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ which he noted attested to the capacity of the air force to simultaneously undertake various operations.

“These missions have been behind the success we have recorded in the North-east and other parts of the country where these operations are conducted,” the CAS stressed.

Daily Trust