The Nigerian military says the number of terrorist fighters and associates surrendering to troops in the North-East increased by 213 per cent in one week.
The military attributed the rise to sustained operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), which are targeting terrorist positions, logistics networks and supply routes 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, August 12.
Goni said troops had carried out coordinated ground operations, engaged identified terrorist positions and disrupted logistics and supply routes used by the groups.
“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 pressure on terrorist positions and logistics networks in different parts of the North-East.
Goni said the growing number of surrenders suggested that more fighters and associates were becoming willing to abandon terrorist activities and submit to the established surrender process.
The development came alongside the surrender of two high-profile terrorist members to troops on Wednesday. The individuals reportedly surrendered with arms, ammunition and other military equipment.
Goni said the recovery of the weapons provided further evidence, in the military’s assessment, of the impact of its operations 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 pointed to a declining ability among terrorist groups to retain fighters and maintain prolonged operations.
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The military also reported that other terrorist members surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion in Bama on August 7 at New Abaram.
Goni said the surrender followed continued military operations as well as internal disagreements within the terrorist enclave.
The individuals were screened, while mobile phones and other items were recovered before they were handed over for further action in line with established procedures.
According to the military, the increase in surrenders reflects the impact of its multi-dimensional strategy, which combines ground offensives, precision engagements and sustained 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 development as the cumulative result of sustained military pressure and what he called the gradual erosion of terrorist capability, cohesion and willingness to continue fighting.
Goni said Operation HADIN KAI would continue to maintain pressure on terrorist elements while providing established channels for fighters and associates willing 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 called on members of the public to support ongoing operations by providing security agencies with timely and credible information.
It also urged terrorist fighters and their associates to abandon violence and make use of the available surrender channels.
