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Several commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and 76 militants have surrendered to troops in northeast Nigeria, the military said, in the latest blow to the group’s operations in the region.
The militants, along with some family members, gave themselves up to Operation Hadin Kai forces following sustained military pressure and intelligence-driven operations, according to a statement by acting military information officer Captain Mohammed Goni.
“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,” Goni said.
Goni confirmed that among those who surrendered were key members of the terrorist network, adding that the development highlights the impact of sustained offensives.
“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,” he stated.
The military withheld the identities of the surrendered commanders and did not disclose the exact locations where they surrendered for security reasons.
The surrendered individuals are currently in a secure location, undergoing profiling and debriefing.
“They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing and other established procedures in accordance with extant operational protocols,” Goni stated.
“Within the last week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers with some families surrendered to troops,” he added.
Goni noted that persistent military operations have significantly degraded the terrorists’ combat capabilities while eroding confidence within their ranks and leadership.
“Persistent military operations have continued to degrade the terrorists’ combat capabilities while eroding confidence within their ranks and leadership,” he stated.
He said the operational gains demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nigerian military’s comprehensive counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategy, combining precision combat operations, intelligence-led engagements, and coordinated joint efforts with partners.
Goni reaffirmed that 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.
The surrender of the commanders represents a significant setback for ISWAP, which has been a major threat in the Lake Chad region.
In a separate operation earlier this month, two ISWAP commanders identified as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar surrendered to troops on June 8.
Mohammed was described as a close associate of senior ISWAP leader Baa Shuwa, while Umar was a skilled explosives specialist responsible for building and maintaining vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
