‘Kidnap Kingpin, Yellow Jambros Surrenders A Year After NAF Claimed To Have Killed Him’

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced a surge in the number of terrorists surrendering to troops, particularly in the north-central region.

Speaking during a weekly operational update on Saturday, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Edward Buba, disclosed that several high-profile terrorist leaders and commanders had laid down their arms.

Among them is Yellow Jambros, a notorious kidnap kingpin previously reported killed in a military airstrike.

Buba named other terrorists who have surrendered, including Alhaji Mallam, Ardo Idi (Alhaji Lawal), Lawal Kwalba, Salkado, Yellow Ibrahim, Gana’e, and Babangida.

He credited the increasing surrenders to the military’s non-kinetic collaborative efforts with local stakeholders, aimed at encouraging militants to embrace peace.

The surrender of Yellow Jambros has raised eyebrows, as it comes nearly a year after the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) claimed to have neutralized him in a strike.

In a report dated December 6, 2023, NAF stated that Jambros was killed during an air component of Operation Whirl Punch in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to NAF, the operation targeted terrorists attempting to cross the Jikudna River in the Galadima Kogo District, heading towards the Wurukuvhi axis of Chikun LGA.

However, Buba, in the latest update, said, “These surrenders are occasioned by overtures from the terrorist leadership based on troops onslaught against them.

“Accordingly, several terrorist leaders, commanders and combatants have so far surrendered with more indicating interest to surrender.

“Notable terrorist that have surrendered include; Yellow Jambros, Alhaji Mallam, Ardo Idi(Alhaji Lawal), Lawal Kwalba, Salkado, Yellow Ibrahim, Gana’e and Babangida among others.

“Nevertheless, troops will sustain its operational tempo in order to destroy or cause further surrendering by terrorists.”

The defence spokesperson said that in the last week, troops killed at least 135 terrorists and arrested 185 suspects.

He added that 129 kidnapped hostages were also rescued, while 61 oil thieves were also arrested.

Buba said the troops also recovered 113 assorted weapons and 2,415 ammunition, 15 vehicles, 46 motorcycles, and 28 mobile phones.

According to Buba, troops in the Niger Delta area discovered and destroyed 93 crude oil cooking ovens, 12 dugout pits, 37 boats, 127 drums, 41 storage tanks and 82 illegal refining sites.

He said, “Other items recovered include one outboard engine, four speedboats, three HH radios, four motorcycles, five mobile phones and 14 vehicles

“Troops recovered 909,800 litres of stolen crude oil, 71,060 litres of illegally refined AGO and 13,580 litres of PMS.”

Buba expressed confidence that army “remains in a winning position” in the war against insurgency and terrorism.