Kidnap Kingpin Yellow Jambros Surrenders, Says DHQ—A Year After NAF Claimed to Have ‘Killed’ Him

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced a surge in the number of terrorists surrendering to the Nigerian Army, particularly in the north-central region. Among the notable individuals who have reportedly surrendered is Yellow Jambros, a notorious kidnap kingpin.

Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, highlighted the trend during a weekly briefing on Saturday, noting that sustained military operations and collaborative non-kinetic efforts with stakeholders have played a pivotal role in encouraging surrenders.

“These surrenders are driven by overtures from terrorist leaders under pressure from ongoing military onslaughts,” Buba stated. He listed several high-profile terrorists who have surrendered, including Alhaji Mallam, Ardo Idi (also known as Alhaji Lawal), Lawal Kwalba, Salkado, Yellow Ibrahim, Gana’e, Babangida, and Yellow Jambros.

Interestingly, Yellow Jambros’ surrender comes almost a year after the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) claimed to have killed him in an airstrike in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State in December 2023. However, a subsequent report in April 2024 by counter-terrorism publication Zagazola Makama indicated that Jambros had survived the strike, escaping a raid on his camp by military forces.

Buba did not provide specific details on the timeline of the surrenders. Efforts by TheCable to reach him for clarification were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.

Meanwhile, Buba also provided an update on the military’s recent achievements, stating that troops killed at least 135 terrorists, arrested 185 suspects, and rescued 129 kidnapped hostages over the past week. Additionally, 61 oil thieves were apprehended, and troops recovered 113 weapons, 2,415 rounds of ammunition, 15 vehicles, 46 motorcycles, and 28 mobile phones.

In the Niger Delta region, the military dismantled 93 crude oil cooking ovens, 12 dugout pits, 37 boats, 127 drums, 41 storage tanks, and 82 illegal refining sites. Recovered items included 909,800 liters of stolen crude oil, 71,060 liters of illegally refined diesel, and 13,580 liters of petrol.

Buba reaffirmed the military’s commitment to maintaining operational pressure, expressing confidence in the army’s “winning position” against insurgency and terrorism.