Two young girls believed to be relatives of suspected Boko Haram members have escaped from a terrorist hideout in Borno State and surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI, marking another sign of civilians fleeing insurgent-controlled areas as military operations intensify across Nigeria’s North-East.
The girls reportedly fled from the Grazah terrorist enclave in the Mandara Mountains before reaching a military position in Gwoza Local Government Area, where they surrendered to soldiers.
Teenage Girls Escape Boko Haram-Controlled Enclave
The two minors surrendered to troops of C Company, 192 Battalion Mechanised, under Operation HADIN KAI, at approximately 3:55 p.m. on July 21 in Gwoza, Borno State.
Security officials said preliminary findings indicate the girls escaped from the Grazah enclave, one of the locations previously linked to Boko Haram activities within the Mandara Mountains.
The children were identified as:
| Name | Age | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Fatima Adamu | 11 years | Escaped from terrorist enclave and surrendered to troops |
| Rahima Adamu | 7 years | Escaped from terrorist enclave and surrendered to troops |
Military personnel received the girls without incident and immediately began standard screening and documentation procedures.
Military Begins Screening and Profiling Process
Security sources disclosed that the children are currently under the custody of the 192 Battalion, where they are undergoing profiling and administrative procedures in line with established military protocols.
Officials are expected to determine their identities, family connections, and any intelligence that may assist ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The Nigerian military routinely conducts screening for civilians fleeing insurgent camps to separate genuine escapees from potential security threats while ensuring humanitarian support for vulnerable individuals.
Military Pressure Continues to Weaken Insurgent Strongholds
The latest surrender comes amid sustained military offensives targeting Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) across the North-East.
Security operations have continued to place significant pressure on insurgent camps, leading to an increasing number of women, children, and other non-combatants escaping from terrorist-controlled territories in recent months.
Despite the continued offensives, security forces say troops remain on high alert throughout the theatre of operations, maintaining offensive patrols and surveillance to prevent further terrorist activities.
Authorities also noted that the overall security situation across the operational area remains relatively calm as military operations continue against remaining Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.
What This Means
The surrender of the two girls highlights the continuing impact of Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East. As military operations intensify, more civilians trapped inside terrorist enclaves are reportedly finding opportunities to escape, while security agencies continue efforts to screen, protect, and reintegrate those fleeing insurgent-controlled areas.
