Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) said sustained offensive on terrorists’ positions and enclaves has triggered a 213 per cent rise in surrendering of insurgents and their families in the past week in the North East.

 

It said the coordinated ground operations and engagements against identified terrorist positions and disruption of terrorist logistics and supply routes, are being conducted to degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist elements and restrict their freedom of action across the theatre.

 

The Acting Military Information Officer, OPHK, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying that the increased number of surrenders reflects a growing number of terrorist fighters and associates opting to abandon terrorist activities and submit to established surrender procedures.

 

However, the spokesman for OPHK did not give the number of terrorists who surrendered during the period to reflect the percentage given.

 

“In a further manifestation of this emerging trend, two high-profile terrorist members surrendered to troops today, bringing with them arms, ammunition and other military items.

 

“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. The development is equally indicative of the diminishing capacity of terrorist elements to retain their fighters and sustain prolonged operations,” Goni said.

 

He said that other terrorist members had surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion in Bama on 7 August 2026 at New Abaram, following sustained military operations and internal disagreements within the terrorist enclave.

 

According to him, the group was subsequently screened, with mobile phones and other items recovered from them, before being handed over for further action in accordance with established procedures. The surrender further demonstrates the growing impact of sustained operational pressure and internal fractures within terrorist ranks.

 

He noted that the increasing frequency of surrenders underscores the effectiveness of the Theatre’s multi-dimensional approach, which combines 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. The trend therefore represents more than isolated individual decisions, but the cumulative impact of sustained pressure and the gradual erosion of terrorist capability, cohesion and willingness to continue the fight.

 

Goni stressed that Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in sustaining legitimate military pressure against terrorist elements while providing appropriate channels for those who elect 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. The Theatre Command urges members of the public to continue supporting ongoing military operations by providing timely and credible information to security agencies, while encouraging terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and take advantage of available surrender channels.”

 

Military sources said recent clashes between the fighters of Boko Haram and ISWAP groups, resulted in deaths of fighters and leaders of both factions.

 

Also, OPHK had said the ISWAP’s finance chief had surrendered alongside two of his children, handing over only N40,000 to troops. Later, his wife and other members of families surrendered to troops.