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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said 331 insurgents and their family members surrendered to the Nigerian military in the third quarter of 2026, citing hunger, harsh living conditions and shortages of basic necessities in terrorist enclaves.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 30, during a briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Onoja said more than 90 terrorists and their family members surrendered in September alone, following intensified military operations and the disruption of terrorist supply networks, particularly in the North East.
According to him, those who surrendered cited hunger, difficult living conditions and lack of basic provisions in terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains and Lake Chad region.
He said the military also intensified efforts to cut off supplies to terrorist groups through arrests and seizures of items allegedly destined for the insurgents.
Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Borno and Yobe states during September and recovered foodstuffs, medical and veterinary supplies, pharmaceuticals, motorcycle spare parts, vehicles and cash.
He added that troops intercepted a logistics supplier transporting Starlink internet devices allegedly destined for Chad along the Dikwa-Gamboru Road on September 23.
The military spokesman said more than 70 surrenders were recorded at Monguno, Pulka, Gwoza, Dikwa, Bama and Ngala during the month.
He said a terrorist surrendered at Benisheikh on September 13 with an AK-47 rifle, a hand grenade and an improvised explosive device.
Onoja added that two Boko Haram fighters from the Bula Daloye enclave in Bama Local Government Area of Borno surrendered on September 17 with three AK-47 rifles.
He said additional surrenders were recorded in Bama, Monguno and along the Kuranabasa axis in Gwoza on September 25 and 26.
According to him, one of the latest escapees fled an ISWAP camp at Kolorom Village near Jubilaram in the Lake Chad region before surrendering to troops.
The military also rescued 44 family members of terrorists, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in Bama Local Government Area on September 24.
Onoja said the group had fled their enclaves following clashes between rival terrorist factions.
He disclosed that Operation HADIN KAI troops neutralised 27 terrorist fighters, arrested 49 suspects and rescued 103 kidnapped victims in September.
Cumulatively, he said the operation neutralised 273 terrorist fighters, arrested 348 and rescued 297 kidnapped victims during the third quarter, while 331 insurgents and their family members surrendered.
Beyond the North East, Onoja said military formations across the country sustained operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities.
In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops rescued 171 kidnapped victims and arrested 26 terrorists in September, while an air operation in Kebbi State enabled more than 60 captives to escape after terrorists transporting them were disrupted.
In the North Central, Operation WHIRL STROKE troops rescued 320 kidnapped victims, while Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD troops rescued 27 victims and cleared 12 improvised explosive devices in parts of Niger and Kwara states.
Operation ENDURING PEACE troops also arrested 155 suspects and rescued 28 kidnapped victims in Bauchi, Kaduna and Plateau states.
In the South South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops continued operations against oil theft and illegal refining, destroying eight illegal refining sites and recovering more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products in September.
Onoja said the military would sustain kinetic and non-kinetic operations across the various theatres to consolidate gains and strengthen operational effectiveness.
He added that troops remained committed to protecting lives and property, restricting the activities of criminal groups and safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity.
