Boko Haram radical priest, leader, surrenders

A radical preacher and leader of Boko Haram terrorist group, Alhaji Ari-Difinoma, has surrendered to the Nigerian Army.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency analyst in Lake Chad, said  Ari-Difinoma, surrendered to the troops 21 Special Armoured Brigade Bama, Operation Hadin Kai, on May 16, 2022, after he was forced out of his hideout following sustained bombardment by troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

Intensified infighting between Boko Haram and its rival faction, the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP), also added to Difinina ordeal.

Makama further said ISWAP terrorists launched a surprise attack against Boko Haram at Ukuba. The camp has been repeatedly destroyed by the Nigerian troops but reoccupied by the terrorists, forcing the Boko Haram to flee.

The analyst also noted that Ari-Difinoma and others ran to hide in a small village located in the village of Mantari, within the axis of Bama Local Government. Hunger and unending artillery bombardments by the Nigerian troops eventually forced them out.

“It was at that point that Mr Ari-Difinoma decided to abandoned the rest of his colleagues and ran out to surrender himself”, he said.

Ari-Difinoma was an indigene of Monguno in Borno State where he ran one of the radicalization schools in Ukuba Camp in Sambisa Forest under the Darul-Qur’an.

He has recruited many children and youths by the teaching of extremists’ ideologues within the past 10 years.