The Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has recorded an unprecedented 202 per cent week-on-week increase in the surrender of terrorist commanders, fighters and affiliates.
The surge saw the number of terrorists surrendering rise from over 50 in the previous week to more than 150 in the current week.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement, attributing the development to sustained intelligence-led operations, intensified military pressure and coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic efforts across the North East.
According to him, the significant increase reflects the cumulative impact of ongoing operations aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and encouraging voluntary disengagement from terrorism.
The development, he said, is a clear indication of mounting pressure within terrorist formations, particularly on their freedom of movement, logistics, sustainment and ability to retain personnel within their enclaves.
Captain Goni added that the recovery of weapons and ammunition from some of the surrendering elements further underscored the operational impact of sustained pressure on terrorist networks.
He said the growing number of surrenders also demonstrated the effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI’s comprehensive counter-insurgency strategy, which combines intelligence-led operations with strategic communication, civil-military engagement and other non-kinetic lines of effort.
These measures, according to the military, are disrupting terrorist activities and support networks, weakening hostile narratives and encouraging more members of terrorist groups to abandon the insurgency.
The statement noted that strategic communication remained central to the campaign by conveying credible messages to those willing to renounce terrorism while highlighting the consequences of continued association with terrorist groups.
“All persons who surrender are profiled, documented and handled in accordance with established procedures and applicable laws,” the statement said.
Operation HADIN KAI said it would continue to exploit the current momentum to encourage further disengagement and weaken terrorist recruitment and sustainment mechanisms.
Meanwhile, the Military High Command commended troops for their resilience, discipline and operational effectiveness, urging them to sustain the momentum and continue denying terrorist elements freedom of action across the theatre.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its resolve to sustain pressure on terrorist networks, disrupt their capabilities and support structures, protect civilians and create the conditions necessary for the restoration of lasting peace, security and normalcy across the North East.
