The Nigerian military says several senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), alongside 76 fighters and some of their family members, have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North East.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammad Goni, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday night.
According to him, the insurgents abandoned their hideouts and laid down their arms following sustained military offensives across the region.
“The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has continued to record significant operational successes in the ongoing counter terrorism campaign against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists through sustained operations backed by credible, timely and actionable intelligence,” the statement read.
Goni said the latest surrender involved prominent figures within the terrorist group.
“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, he said are key members of the terrorist network due to relentless military pressure.
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“They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing and other established procedures in accordance with extant operational protocols.
“Within the last week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers with some families surrendered to troops,” he added.
He described the development as another indication that the military’s operations are weakening the insurgents’ structure and limiting their ability to operate.
“Persistent military operations have continued to degrade the terrorists’ combat capabilities while eroding confidence within their ranks and leadership,” Goni stated.
He said the successes reflected the effectiveness of the military’s strategy, which combines intelligence gathering, precision strikes and joint operations with security partners.
Goni reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Hadin Kai to ending insurgency in the North East.
“Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mission to completely defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.
“The pressure on the remaining terrorist elements will continue unabated until they are completely neutralised or forced to surrender,” the statement added.