Photos: Top ISWAP commanders surrender as military intensifies offensive

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By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri

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The Nigerian military has recorded another breakthrough in its counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East as a fresh group of top leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) surrendered to troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), following sustained military offensives.

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The development came as 76 terrorist foot soldiers, alongside some of their family members, also laid down their arms and surrendered to troops within the last week.

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The Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State.

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Although the military withheld the identities of the surrendered commanders and did not disclose the exact locations where they surrendered for security reasons, Goni attributed the development to sustained military pressure and intelligence-driven operations.

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According to him, “Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have 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.”

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He said a fresh group of top ISWAP leaders had abandoned their enclaves and surrendered to troops operating within the North-East theatre.

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“Among those who surrendered are key members of the terrorist network due to relentless military pressure. They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing and other established procedures in accordance with extant operational protocols,” Goni stated.

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He noted that the latest surrender underscores the impact of the sustained offensive by Operation HADIN KAI, which has continued to dismantle terrorist strongholds, disrupt command and logistics structures, and deny insurgents freedom of movement across the theatre of operations.

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According to the military spokesman, continuous operations have significantly degraded the terrorists’ combat capabilities while weakening morale within their ranks and leadership.

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“Within the last week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers with some families surrendered to troops,” he added.

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Goni said the recent gains demonstrate the effectiveness of the military’s counter-terrorism strategy, which combines precision combat operations, intelligence-led engagements and coordinated joint efforts with other security partners.

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He reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to completely defeating terrorism and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East.

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“The pressure on the remaining terrorist elements will continue unabated until they are completely neutralised or forced to surrender,” the statement added.

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