About 410 members of the Darul Salam terrorist group have surrendered to the troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and other security agencies deployed at Uttu in Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, released in a statement on Thursday,  that those apprehended, included women and children. He further stressed that security forces were able to recover several weapons and explosives from the suspects.

In addition, a statement titled, ‘Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke bust terrorist cell, recover explosives, arms as 410 members of Darul Salam terrorist group surrender', read in part,

“Following intensive kinetic operations at identified bandits’ enclaves, not less than 410 members of the Darul Salam terrorist group, including women and children, surrendered to the 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 August 25, 2020.”

The DHQ also confirmed that the troops stormed a Darul Salam bomb-making factory on Wednesday, following actionable technical and human intelligence on the activities of the terrorists in the general area.

In the course of the operation, the troops purportedly recovered Improvised Explosives Device (IEDs) materials, including two scales; one bag of fertilizer; six rocket launcher bombs; 10 locally-made hand grenades; one rocket-propelled grenade bomb fuse, one locally-made Rocket Launcher and 13 improvised rocket bombs, among others.

“The Military High Command commends the gallant troops of Operation Whirl Stroke for their professionalism and dexterity in achieving this notable feat and also urges them to sustain the tempo in the push to decisively curtail the activities of bandits and other criminals operating in the North-Central zone,” the statement read.

Subsequently, the camp was demolished while the troops raked the neighboring forests for escaping insurgents of the sect.