Top ISWAP leaders, 76 other fighters surrendered to Nigerian troops in North-East amid sustained operations – Army

The Nigerian Army has announced the surrender of top leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), alongside 76 foot soldiers and some of their family members, following military operations in the North-East.

Muhammad Goni, the acting military information officer, Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, made the announcement in a statement on Monday.

The army said the terrorists surrendered to the troops due to relentless military pressure, noting they were currently undergoing profiling and other procedures in line with extant operational protocols.

“In another major breakthrough, a fresh group of top ISWAP terrorist leaders have abandoned their enclaves and surrendered to troops within the North-East theatre of operations. Among those who surrendered are key members of the terrorist network due to relentless military pressure. They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing and other established procedures in accordance with extant operational protocols,” he said.

According to the military, the development highlights the devastating impact of the sustained offensive by Operation Hadin Kai, which continues to dismantle terrorist strongholds, disrupt command and logistics structures and deny the insurgents freedom of action across the theatre.

“Persistent military operations have continued to degrade the terrorists’ combat capabilities while eroding confidence within their ranks and leadership. Within the last week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers with some families surrendered to troops,” he added.

The statement further said that the operational gains demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nigerian military’s comprehensive counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategy, combining precision combat operations, intelligence-led engagements, and coordinated joint efforts with partners.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.

“The pressure on the remaining terrorists will continue unabated until they are completely neutralised or forced to surrender,” he added.