The Nigerian Army through the coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche disclosed that about 410 members of the Darul Salam terrorist group have reportedly surrendered to troops and security agencies attached to Operation Whirl Stroke in Nasarawa State.This disclosure was made on Thursday in a statement titled "Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke bust terrorist cell, recover explosives, arms as 410 members of Darul Salam terrorist group surrender"
The statement read in part, "Following aggressive intensive kinetic operations at identified bandits' enclaves, not less than 410 members of the Darul Salam terrorist group, including women and children, surrendered to troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agencies deployed at Uttu in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. This development took place on Tuesday 25th August 2020".
He said that the operation was as a result of the continuous clearance operations in the North Central zone designed to rid the region of armed banditry and other types of criminality. He further disclosed that the troops discovered a bomb-making factory on Wednesday as a result of intelligence obtained.
According to him, troops discovered a variety of explosives and bomb-making materials at the location such as 6 rocket launcher bombs, 1 rocket-propelled grenade bomb fuse, 1 locally made rocket launcher, 10 locally hand made grenades, 2 Improvised Explosive Devices, 13 improvised rocket bombs, amongst other things.
He said the camp was destroyed and troops also combed the surrounding area for fleeing members of the terrorist group. He further commended the troops for their gallant efforts during the operation and encouraged them to sustain the tempo.