More than 150 terrorists, including commanders, fighters and affiliates, have surrendered to troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, within the past weeks.

According to the Military, this latest figure marks a sharp increase from the more than 50 terrorists who surrendered during the preceding week.

The development was disclosed by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, in a statement issued on Monday.

Goni said the increase was linked to sustained intelligence-led operations, pressure on terrorist positions and efforts to disrupt the networks that keep the groups active.

According to him, troops have continued to target terrorist movements, logistics routes and other support structures across the North-East.

He said the pressure was making it increasingly difficult for terrorist groups to move freely, obtain supplies and maintain fighters within their enclaves.

“The significant increase reflects the cumulative impact of sustained intelligence-led operations, intensified military pressure and coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic efforts aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities and encouraging voluntary disengagement from terrorism,” he said.

The military said some of those who surrendered were found with weapons and ammunition.

The recovery of the items, according to the command, further demonstrated the operational impact of the ongoing campaign against terrorist networks.

Goni said the latest development was not limited to battlefield operations.

He explained that Operation Hadin Kai was also using strategic communication, civil-military engagement and other non-kinetic measures to encourage members of terrorist groups to abandon their activities.

The approach, he said, was aimed at weakening terrorist narratives and support systems while reaching individuals who may be willing to leave the groups.

The military has continued to encourage terrorists and their affiliates to lay down their arms and surrender rather than remain within the groups.

Those who surrender are subjected to established procedures, including profiling and documentation, before further action is taken in accordance with applicable laws.

Goni said the growing number of surrendering terrorists showed that pressure was being felt within the groups.

He pointed particularly to difficulties around movement, logistics, supply chains and the ability of terrorist commanders to retain personnel in their camps.

He added that the theatre command would continue with the current operational tempo in an effort to encourage more defections and further weaken the structures supporting terrorist activities in the region.

The North-East has remained a major focus of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign.

Borno, Yobe and Adamawa are among the areas where troops have continued to conduct offensive and clearance operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province elements.

Operation Hadin Kai has combined ground operations with intelligence gathering and air support in its efforts to disrupt terrorist formations.

The military has also continued to recover weapons, ammunition, communication equipment and other items from terrorist positions during operations.

Goni said the military would maintain pressure on terrorist elements and deny them the opportunity to regain freedom of action across the affected areas.

He also commended troops involved in the operations for their resilience and discipline, urging them to remain focused as efforts continue to restore security and normalcy to communities affected by terrorism.

“Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mission 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 region,” he said.

In a related development, a senior financial operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, surrendered to Nigerian troops in Borno State on July.

The surrender was reported by POLITICS NIGERIA on July 26, following a statement from the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni.

The man was identified during preliminary investigations as the chief finance operative of an ISWAP enclave in Jubillaram.

He reportedly surrendered to troops of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route. He was accompanied by two male children.

According to the military, the suspect was responsible for coordinating financial transactions, managing resources and overseeing logistics for the terrorist enclave.

Goni described the surrender as an operational gain for the military, particularly because of the role financial and logistics operatives play in sustaining terrorist activities.

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, underscoring the sustained impact of ongoing kinetic and intelligence-driven operations across the North East,” Goni stated.

The surrendered operative was taken into military custody for further profiling and interrogation.

The military said the information obtained from the process could help security forces identify and target other members of the terrorist network.

“The individual is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to exploit actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and facilitate the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the Theatre,” Goni added.

At the time, the Army also disclosed that about 46 terrorists and their family members had surrendered to troops in the days leading up to the development.

The military linked the growing number of defections to sustained operations against terrorist camps and hideouts in the North-East.