Authorities in Niger have said that around 20 more members of the jihadist group Boko Haram have surrendered in the country.

According to Vanguard, the combatants surrendered at Diffa, in southeastern Niger, a Boko Haram stronghold close to the border with Nigeria, where 31 fighters turned themselves in at the end of last month.

Niger’s interior minister, Bazoum Mohamed said that since December 27, 50 Boko Haram fighters have so far surrendered.

He further said that more fighter are expected to surrender, while attributing the success to a military squeeze on the group that was launched in July, coordinated between security forces in Nigeria and Chad, where the group also operates.