More than 150 terrorists, including commanders, fighters and affiliates, have surrendered to troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), over the past week, according to the Nigerian military.
The latest figure marks a sharp increase from the more than 50 terrorists who surrendered during the preceding week.
Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, attributed the development to sustained intelligence-led operations, increased military pressure and coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic measures aimed at weakening terrorist groups and encouraging their voluntary disengagement.
In a statement issued on Monday, Goni said the rise in the number of surrenders suggested that terrorist formations were facing increasing restrictions on their movement, logistics, supply chains and ability to retain fighters in their enclaves.
“The significant increase reflects the cumulative impact of sustained intelligence-led operations, intensified military pressure and coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic efforts aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and encouraging voluntary disengagement from terrorism,” he said.
Goni noted that weapons and ammunition recovered from some of the terrorists who surrendered further demonstrated the impact of continued military operations against the groups.
He said the growing number of surrenders also showed the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai’s counter-insurgency strategy, which combines intelligence-driven operations with strategic communication, civil-military engagement and other non-kinetic measures.
According to him, these efforts are disrupting terrorist activities and support networks, weakening hostile narratives and encouraging more members of the groups to abandon terrorism.
Goni said strategic communication remained an important part of the military’s campaign, as it enables credible messages to reach individuals willing to renounce terrorism while also highlighting the consequences of maintaining links with terrorist organisations.
He added that all those who surrendered had been profiled, documented and handled in line with established procedures and applicable laws.
The theatre command, he said, would maintain the current momentum in order to encourage further disengagement and weaken terrorist recruitment and sustainment networks.
The Military High Command also commended the troops for their resilience, discipline and operational effectiveness, while urging them to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and deny them freedom of movement across the theatre.
“Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mission to sustain pressure on terrorist networks, disrupt their capabilities and support structures, protect civilians and create the conditions necessary for the restoration of lasting peace, security and normalcy across the North-East region,” he said.