Rate of surrenders by terrorists rise 213% in one week— Military

n n

The military has recorded a 213 per cent increase in the number of terrorists and associates who have surrendered to troops in the North East in the last one week.

n

This came against the backdrop of sustained operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) which have degraded terrorist capabilities and disrupted their logistics and supply networks across the theatre.

n

The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, who disclosed this in a statement released on X yesterday, said the operations included coordinated ground actions, engagements against identified terrorist positions and efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and supply routes.

n

He said: “During the period under review, the Theatre recorded a 213 per cent increase in terrorist surrenders compared with the preceding week.’’

n

According to him, the increase followed continued military operations against terrorist positions and logistics networks in various locations across the North East.

n

He said the rising number of surrenders reflected a growing willingness among terrorist fighters and associates to abandon their activities and submit to established surrender procedures.

n

In a related development, two high-profile terrorist members surrendered to troops yesterday, bringing arms, ammunition and other military items.

n

Goni said the recovery of the weapons and ammunition further indicated the impact of sustained military pressure on terrorist groups.

n

“The recovery of these weapons and ammunition further reinforces indications that sustained military pressure is having a significant effect on the cohesion, morale and operational sustainability of terrorist elements,” he said.

n

He added that the development was also indicative of the diminishing capacity of terrorist elements to retain fighters and sustain prolonged operations.

n

Goni disclosed that other terrorist members had surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion in Bama on August 7 at New Abaram, following sustained military operations and internal disagreements within the terrorist enclave.

n

He said the group was screened, while mobile phones and other items were recovered before the members were handed over for further action in accordance with established procedures.

n

According to the military, the increasing frequency of surrenders demonstrates the impact of its multi-dimensional approach, combining offensive ground operations, precision engagements and systematic disruption of terrorist logistics and supply networks.

n

“By denying terrorists the opportunity to freely manoeuvre, regroup and replenish, troops continue to restrict their operational options and undermine their ability to sustain terrorist activities,” Goni said.

n

He described the trend as the cumulative effect of sustained military pressure and the gradual erosion of terrorist capability, cohesion and willingness to continue fighting.

n

Operation HADIN KAI, he said, remained committed to maintaining military pressure against terrorist elements while providing appropriate channels for those who choose to surrender.

n

“The objective remains clear: to further degrade terrorist capabilities, restore security and create the conditions necessary for lasting peace and stability across the North East,” Goni said.

n

The Theatre Command urged members of the public to support ongoing military operations by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

n

It also encouraged terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and take advantage of available surrender channels.

n n