A SUSPECTED member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), trained as a gunboat operator and Dushka heavy machine gunner, has surrendered to troops of 5 Brigade in Damasak, Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State, as the Federal Government announced that it has secured 1,721 terrorism-related convictions since the launch of its Mass Trial Programme in October 2017.
News Point Nigeria reports that counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama disclosed the surrender on his verified X account yesterday, while officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Defence Headquarters and the Nigeria Police Force highlighted fresh gains recorded in the country’s ongoing counterterrorism operations during a joint security briefing in Abuja.
According to Makama, the suspected terrorist surrendered to troops at about 9 a.m. on July 1.
Preliminary findings showed that the suspect fled an ISWAP camp at Barra Village in the Lake Chad region, near Dogon Chukwu, following sustained military air strikes on terrorist enclaves.
During debriefing, the suspect reportedly said he was trained as a gunboat driver and operated a Dushka heavy machine gun during insurgent operations in the Lake Chad area.
He has since been placed in military custody for profiling, intelligence debriefing and other administrative procedures after receiving medical attention and food.
Meanwhile, the Office of the National Security Adviser disclosed that the Federal Government has secured 1,721 terrorism-related convictions through its Mass Trial Programme.
Director of Legal Services at ONSA, Zakari Mijinyawa, made the disclosure during the joint security briefing by defence, security and law enforcement agencies in Abuja.
He said the programme, coordinated by ONSA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice, the judiciary and security agencies, has completed 10 phases of terrorism trials.
According to him, the first three phases conducted between 2017 and 2018 recorded 366 convictions, while phases four to eight, held between 2023 and 2025, produced 490 convictions.
He added that phases nine and 10, conducted this year, resulted in 865 convictions, bringing the total number of terrorism-related convictions to 1,721.
Mijinyawa noted that the programme also discharged or acquitted defendants where evidence was insufficient, reflecting the Federal Government’s commitment to due process and fair trial.
Also speaking, the Defence Headquarters said troops neutralised 1,597 terrorists and other criminal elements, rescued 1,516 kidnapped victims and conducted 14,221 operations nationwide between January and June.
Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Samaila Uba, represented by Group Capt. Kabiru Ali, said troops recovered 451 firearms, 16,726 rounds of ammunition, 161 explosives and improvised explosive devices during the period.
He added that 412 Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters were neutralised, 332 suspected terrorists were arrested, while 132 insurgents surrendered.
According to him, the military also strengthened civil-military relations through peacebuilding initiatives, public sensitisation campaigns and stakeholder engagements.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Iniedu Okokon, said police operations during the review period led to the arrest of suspects linked to terrorism, kidnapping and armed robbery, while several firearms and ammunition were recovered.
He added that operatives rescued kidnapped victims, dismantled criminal networks in parts of the country and intercepted ammunition along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor.
Okokon also disclosed that the police uncovered a railway vandalism syndicate and recovered about 60 tonnes of stolen railway materials valued at about N400 million.