A 50-year-old woman linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP, identified as Ghwa'a Biwa, has surrendered to Nigerian troops in Borno State after escaping from a terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains. She turned herself in to soldiers of the 192 Battalion (Mechanised) on June 2 at a military post in Gwoza Local Government Area. Security sources said she fled the camp of a terrorist commander known as Wa'a, citing worsening living conditions and shortages of basic necessities as key reasons for her escape. Military pressure on insurgent hideouts has further worsened conditions for those inside, according to the sources.
Zagazola Makama, a security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, disclosed the development in a post on his X account. Upon surrender, Biwa underwent preliminary screening and was documented by military authorities before being taken into custody for further action. The military confirmed she is currently in their custody. Security sources said the incident reflects a broader pattern of surrenders and escapes from insurgent camps in the North-East, driven by sustained military operations under Operation Hadin Kai. The military described the current security situation in the region as calm but unpredictable. Troops remain on high alert as operations continue to dismantle terrorist enclaves and encourage defections from extremist groups and their associates.
Ghwa'a Biwa fled a Boko Haram enclave due to hunger and military pressure, yet the same conditions persist for others still trapped in the mountains. The military holds her in custody while continuing operations that have not removed those dangers for civilians nearby. A woman's surrender is not proof of improved safety when the enclave she escaped remains active. The state's response still measures progress by arrests, not by restored lives.
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