Two teenagers suspected to be members of a terrorist group have surrendered to troops of Sector 3 Operation Hadin Kai in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.
In a separate operation, troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion rescued an 11-year-old girl who was allegedly abducted and taken from her community for a suspected spying mission in Gwoza Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion arrested a 60-year-old man suspected of being an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) spy along the Cross-Kukawa road in Kukawa Local Government Area of the state.
According to security sources, the two teenagers, identified as Umar Mohammed, 17, and Aliu Hassan, 13, surrendered at about 7:15 a.m. on September 4, 2026, to troops deployed at Charlie 7 in Monguno town.
The youths reportedly surrendered with a wristwatch and a catapult.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the teenagers had escaped from a terrorist camp in Martab, Marte Local Government Area, citing harsh living conditions at the camp.
The surrendered youths and recovered items have been handed over to the Headquarters Sector 3 Military Intelligence Branch for further investigation.
The development is part of ongoing efforts by security forces to encourage members of terrorist groups to abandon violence and surrender to the authorities.
11-Year-Old Girl Rescued
In another operation, troops of the 82 Division Task Force Battalion rescued an 11-year-old girl, identified as Aisha Mustafa, at about 1:41 a.m. on September 4 during a routine patrol around the Armuda general area of Gwoza.
The girl was reportedly among three people allegedly abducted from Mountain Village in Saha by two suspected terrorists.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects intended to use the victims to monitor the activities of troops deployed around Ngoshe.
According to security sources, Aisha fled towards the troops when she sighted them and surrendered, while the other two victims reportedly fled back towards the village.
The rescued girl is currently receiving necessary assistance as efforts continue to reunite her with her family.
Suspected ISWAP Spy Arrested
Also, troops of the 101 Special Forces Battalion arrested a 60-year-old man suspected of being an ISWAP spy along the Cross-Kukawa road in Kukawa Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as Mallam Garba Audi, was arrested at about 9:55 a.m. on September 3 following intelligence indicating the possible movement of an ISWAP operative from Monguno towards Kukawa.
Acting on the information, troops intensified surveillance around their defensive position and arrested Audi, who was reportedly found wandering along the Cross-Kukawa road.
During preliminary questioning, the suspect claimed he had lost his way while travelling from Digimari in northern Borno.
Troops recovered cement bags containing clothing and mosquito nets from him.
The suspect and the recovered items remain in military custody and are expected to be transferred to the 19 Military Intelligence Regiment for further investigation.
