Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Two teenage girls believed to be associated with fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered to troops of the Nigerian Army in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of , military sources have confirmed.
The girls, identified as Tata Ahmodu, 16, and Adama Abubakar, 14, reportedly surrendered at about 1:35 p.m. on June 19, 2026, to troops of the 192 Battalion (Mechanised), deployed at the Forward Operating Base in Pulka under ongoing counterinsurgency operations in the region.
According to military sources, the teenagers walked into the base and voluntarily surrendered to soldiers stationed in the area, which lies within the volatile Gwoza axis known for past insurgent activity involving Boko Haram and ISWAP factions.
The Nigerian Army has intensified operations across southern Borno in recent years, particularly around the Gwoza hills and surrounding communities, as part of broader efforts to dismantle remaining insurgent networks and encourage voluntary surrender among combatants and their associates.
While details surrounding the circumstances that led to the girls’ surrender remain limited, security sources indicated they are currently in military custody for preliminary profiling, debriefing, and further investigation in line with established procedures for individuals linked to insurgent groups.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the teenagers were actively involved in combat roles or whether they were dependents living within ISWAP-controlled or influenced areas prior to their surrender.
The incident reflects an ongoing pattern in northeastern Nigeria, where individuals associated with insurgent groups, including women and children, have increasingly surrendered to security forces amid sustained military pressure and internal fragmentation within extremist factions.
The Nigerian Army has continued to operate in coordination with other security and humanitarian agencies to process surrendered individuals through deradicalization and rehabilitation frameworks, depending on their level of involvement and age classification.
Security experts note that the Gwoza axis has historically served as a strategic corridor for insurgent movements due to its difficult terrain and proximity to the Mandara Mountains along the Nigeria–Cameroon border, although sustained military operations have significantly reduced large-scale militant presence in the area.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army has not issued an official public statement beyond confirmation from field sources, and no additional details have been released regarding the condition, background, or next steps concerning the two teenagers.
The military has, however, reiterated its commitment to continuing counterterrorism operations across the North-East and encouraging voluntary surrender as part of its broader stabilization strategy in conflict-affected communities.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments