The sustained offensive against terrorist groups in Nigeria’s North-East has recorded another major breakthrough, with more than 150 terrorists, including commanders, fighters and their associates, surrendering to troops of Operation HADIN KAI within the past week.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Maiduguri. He said the sharp increase in the number of terrorists laying down their arms reflects the growing impact of the military’s sustained operations across the theatre.
According to the military, the latest figure represents a significant rise from the more than 50 terrorists who surrendered during the previous week, highlighting increasing pressure on insurgent groups as troops intensify coordinated offensive operations.
The military attributed the growing wave of surrenders to persistent intelligence-driven operations, sustained battlefield offensives, and coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic strategies designed to dismantle terrorist networks operating across the North-East.
It noted that the continued pressure has severely restricted the terrorists’ freedom of movement, weakened their access to logistics, and made it increasingly difficult for them to sustain operations within their enclaves.
Security forces also recovered weapons and ammunition from some of the surrendering terrorists, a development the military said further demonstrates the disruption of the insurgents’ fighting capability and supply chains.
Operation HADIN KAI has, in recent months, strengthened its non-kinetic approach by combining military offensives with strategic communication campaigns, civil-military cooperation, and other initiatives aimed at persuading members of terrorist groups to renounce violence.
The military explained that these efforts are steadily weakening extremist propaganda, disrupting support structures, and reducing the ability of terrorist organisations to recruit, retain and sustain fighters.
It added that strategic communication remains a vital component of the campaign, with credible messages consistently directed at those willing to surrender while also emphasising the consequences of remaining within terrorist ranks.
The Theatre Command further stated that every individual who surrenders undergoes proper profiling and documentation before being processed in line with established procedures and applicable laws.
It said troops would continue to build on the current momentum by sustaining pressure on terrorist formations while encouraging more fighters to abandon violence and preventing insurgent groups from rebuilding their operational strength.
Military authorities believe the growing number of surrenders is not only significant because of the figures involved but also because it reflects widening cracks within terrorist ranks, as fighters increasingly struggle with movement restrictions, dwindling supplies and mounting operational setbacks.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to degrading terrorist capabilities, protecting civilians and restoring lasting peace, security and normalcy across Nigeria’s North-East.
