The Defence Headquarters has expanded its surrender policy for non-state actors across the country, extending the initiative beyond insurgency-hit regions in the North-East, North-West and North-Central to include the South-East, South-South and South-West.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed the development on Monday in Abuja while responding to questions about the recent surrender of suspected militants to troops of Operation Udo Ka in the South-East.
According to him, all armed groups willing to lay down their weapons would be treated in accordance with established laws and international conventions.
“Yes. They are welcome to surrender. The Armed Forces of Nigeria will receive them in line with international law and other Geneva Conventions and transfer them to the relevant legal authorities for necessary action,” he said.
Onoja stressed that military operations against criminal groups would continue despite the offer, noting that troops had intensified offensive operations across various theatres.
Asked whether the military had fixed a deadline for fighters willing to surrender, he replied, “No. They are allowed to surrender any time they wish to. However, military kinetic operation is being intensified.”
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The announcement comes shortly after the Nigerian Army disclosed that sustained operations under Operation Udo Ka had forced some militants in the South-East to surrender.
According to the Army, troops of the 82 Division and Joint Task Force South-East recovered an AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 54 rounds of ammunition and four locally made firearms after one of the suspects directed soldiers to the group’s armoury.
In another operation, troops reportedly recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns, 45 rounds of ammunition and an improvised explosive device.
The military described the development as evidence that ongoing operations, intelligence gathering and inter-agency collaboration were gradually weakening armed groups and encouraging combatants to abandon violence.
The surrender programme was previously associated mainly with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province fighters in the North-East, as well as armed groups operating in parts of the North-West and North-Central.
The latest decision signals a nationwide expansion of the initiative as security forces continue efforts to combat violent crimes and restore stability across the country.