Thousands surrender to Chadian authorities after fleeing from Boko Haram

The United Nations says more than a thousand people fleeing from the Islamist group Boko Haram have surrendered themselves to Chadian authorities.

UN and Chadian officials say as at November 15, some 1,034 people had presented themselves to military authorities at the border area and have since been transferred to Baga Sola.

70 percent of these people according to official data are women and children.

486 children and adolescents who have been interviewed by UN officials are said to be in need of immediate psychosocial support and care.

The status of the adults however has not yet been determined.

Chadian authorities have meanwhile granted access to humanitarian organizations to allow individual interviews to identify the most vulnerable within the group and their specific needs as new arrivals continue to be reported.

The development is believed to be as a result of the operations being carried out by the Nigerian army and the Multinational Joint Taskforce against Boko Haram which has reduced the militant group’s spate of attacks in recent times.