410 insurgents surrender in Nasarawa – Army

410 members of the Darul Salam terrorist group have surrendered to the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agencies deployed at Uttu in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The military said those taken into custody on Tuesday, included women and children.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, disclosed in a statement on Thursday.

He said the security forces also recovered several weapons and explosives from the suspects.

The statement was titled, ‘Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke bust terrorist cell, recover explosives, arms as 410 members of Darul Salam terrorist group surrender.’

It read in part, “Following intensive kinetic operations at identified bandits’ enclaves, not less than 410 members of the Darul Salam terrorist group, including women and children, surrendered to the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agencies deployed at Uttu in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. This development took place on August 25, 2020.”

The DHQ also said the troops stormed a Darul Salam bomb-making factory on Wednesday, following actionable technical and human intelligence on the activities of the terrorists in the general area.

In the course of the operation, troops reportedly recovered several Improvised Explosives Device materials at the location including two scales; six rocket launcher bombs; one bag of fertilizer; half a bag of gun powder; 10 locally-made hand grenades; one rocket-propelled grenade bomb fuse, one locally-made Rocket Launcher; two IEDs and 13 improvised rocket bombs, among others.

The camp was subsequently destroyed while the troops combed the surrounding forests for fleeing members of the sect.

“The Military High Command commends the gallant troops of Operation Whirl Stroke for their professionalism and dexterity in achieving this notable feat and also urges them to sustain the tempo in the push to decisively curtail the activities of bandits and other criminals operating in the North-Central zone,” the statement said.