Terrorist surrenders rise 213% in one week — Military

The Nigerian military has recorded a 213 per cent increase in the number of terrorist fighters and associates surrendering to troops in the North East within one week.

The development followed sustained operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and disrupting their logistics and supply networks across the theatre.

The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement released on X on Wednesday.

Goni said the operations included coordinated ground actions, engagements against identified terrorist positions and efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and supply routes.

“During the period under review, the Theatre recorded a 213 per cent increase in terrorist surrenders compared with the preceding week,” he said.

According to him, the increase followed continued military operations against terrorist positions and logistics networks in various locations across the North East.

He said the rising number of surrenders reflected a growing willingness among terrorist fighters and associates to abandon their activities and submit to established surrender procedures.

In a related development, two high-profile terrorist members surrendered to troops on Wednesday, bringing arms, ammunition and other military items.

Goni said the recovery of the weapons and ammunition further indicated the impact of sustained military pressure on terrorist groups.

“The recovery of these weapons and ammunition further reinforces indications that sustained military pressure is having a significant effect on the cohesion, morale and operational sustainability of terrorist elements,” he said.

He added that the development was also indicative of the diminishing capacity of terrorist elements to retain fighters and sustain prolonged operations.

Goni disclosed that other terrorist members had surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion in Bama on August 7 at New Abaram, following sustained military operations and internal disagreements within the terrorist enclave.

He said the group was screened, while mobile phones and other items were recovered before the members were handed over for further action in accordance with established procedures.

According to the military, the increasing frequency of surrenders demonstrates the impact of its multi-dimensional approach, combining offensive ground operations, precision engagements and systematic disruption of terrorist logistics and supply networks.

“By denying terrorists the opportunity to freely manoeuvre, regroup and replenish, troops continue to restrict their operational options and undermine their ability to sustain terrorist activities,” Goni said.

He described the trend as the cumulative effect of sustained military pressure and the gradual erosion of terrorist capability, cohesion and willingness to continue fighting.

Operation HADIN KAI, he said, remained committed to maintaining military pressure against terrorist elements while providing appropriate channels for those who choose to surrender.

“The objective remains clear: to further degrade terrorist capabilities, restore security and create the conditions necessary for lasting peace and stability across the North East,” Goni said.

The Theatre Command urged members of the public to support ongoing military operations by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

It also encouraged terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and take advantage of available surrender channels. (Punch)