The Nigerian military has recorded another major success in its counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East as top leaders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), alongside 76 foot soldiers and some of their family members, surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai.
The military said the latest wave of surrenders followed sustained military offensives and intelligence-led operations that have continued to weaken terrorist groups operating in the region.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammad Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday night.
According to Goni, the insurgents abandoned their camps and laid down their weapons after coming under intense and sustained pressure from troops conducting operations across the North-East.
He described the development as another major breakthrough in the military’s ongoing efforts to defeat both Boko Haram and ISWAP, saying the campaign has continued to produce positive results through coordinated ground and air operations backed by credible intelligence.
“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 said.
Goni disclosed that those who surrendered include senior members of the ISWAP leadership structure, describing them as key figures within the terrorist organisation.
Although he did not reveal the identities of the leaders for security reasons, he said they had voluntarily abandoned their enclaves after sustained military operations made it increasingly difficult for them to continue fighting.
He added that all those who surrendered are currently being held in a secure location, where they are undergoing profiling, screening and debriefing in line with established military procedures.
According to him, the process is necessary to gather intelligence that could support ongoing operations, verify the identities of the former fighters and determine their level of involvement in terrorist activities.
Goni further disclosed that within the last one week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers, along with some members of their families, had also surrendered to troops operating in different parts of the North-East.
The military believes the increasing number of surrenders reflects the success of its sustained offensive against terrorist camps and hideouts across Borno State and neighbouring areas.
For years, Operation Hadin Kai has intensified coordinated attacks on insurgent enclaves using both ground troops and air support, forcing many fighters to flee, surrender or abandon their bases.
The military said the latest development demonstrates the growing pressure on terrorist groups whose operational capabilities have continued to decline.
According to Goni, the sustained operations have not only destroyed several terrorist strongholds but have also disrupted command structures, supply routes and logistics networks that previously enabled the insurgents to carry out attacks.
He noted that the campaign has significantly reduced the ability of the terrorists to launch coordinated assaults while also weakening confidence among their leaders and fighters.
“The development highlights the devastating impact of the sustained offensive by Operation Hadin Kai, which continues to dismantle terrorist strongholds, disrupt command and logistics structures and deny the insurgents freedom of action across the theatre,” he said.
He added that persistent military operations had continued to degrade the combat strength of the insurgents while creating uncertainty and fear within their ranks.
According to the military spokesman, the operational gains recorded in recent months demonstrate the effectiveness of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy, which combines precision military operations, intelligence-led engagements and collaboration among the various security agencies.
The military has repeatedly maintained that cooperation with local communities has also played a vital role in improving intelligence gathering, making it easier for troops to locate terrorist camps and intercept fleeing fighters.
The latest surrender comes amid renewed efforts by the Armed Forces to consolidate gains made against insurgent groups that have operated in parts of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states for more than a decade.
The insurgency, which began with Boko Haram around 2009, has remained one of Nigeria’s biggest security challenges. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people and destroyed homes, schools, hospitals and other public infrastructure across the North-East.
Over the years, Boko Haram split into different factions, with ISWAP emerging as one of the most organised and dangerous groups operating in the Lake Chad region. The group has carried out attacks on military formations, communities and humanitarian workers, while also targeting key infrastructure.
In response, the Nigerian military established Operation Hadin Kai to coordinate counter-insurgency operations across the North-East. The operation, supported by the Nigerian Air Force and other security agencies, has intensified attacks on terrorist hideouts in recent years.
Military authorities have consistently reported the arrest of suspected insurgents, rescue of kidnapped victims, destruction of terrorist camps and recovery of weapons during operations.
The armed forces have also continued to encourage insurgents to surrender, assuring them that those who voluntarily lay down their arms will be treated in line with existing laws and established military procedures.
Captain Goni assured Nigerians that Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to its mission of eliminating terrorism and restoring lasting peace across the North-East.
He said troops would sustain the current momentum until all remaining terrorist elements are either neutralised or compelled to surrender.
“The pressure on the remaining terrorist elements will continue unabated until they are completely neutralised or forced to surrender,” the statement added.