Over 958 insurgents, families surrender to troops in 2026 – Theatre Commander
By: Zagazola Makama
Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, says no fewer than 958 insurgents and their family members have surrendered to troops across the region in 2026.
The Theatre Commander disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Maiduguri.
He said the figure formed part of a sustained trend of mass surrenders recorded since 2021, with a cumulative total of 152,864 insurgents and their families laying down arms.
According to him, out of the cumulative number, 20,815 are active male fighters, 37,095 are women, while 64,114 are children.
“The steady increase in surrenders is a direct result of sustained military pressure, degradation of terrorist capabilities, and effective non-kinetic measures,” he said.
The commander noted that many of those who surrendered cited operational pressure from troops, collapse of their command structures, and worsening living conditions within insurgent enclaves as reasons for their decision.
He added that all surrendered individuals undergo detailed screening and debriefing processes to generate intelligence for ongoing operations.
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“Information obtained from the debriefing of these individuals has significantly enhanced our operational planning and contributed to recent successes in the theatre,” he said.
The Theatre Commander also highlighted the role of the Borno State Government’s deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration initiative, popularly known as the “Borno Model,” in encouraging more fighters to surrender.
According to him, the programme, implemented in collaboration with local and international partners, provides a structured pathway for repentant insurgents to disengage from violence and reintegrate into society.
“This initiative, which emphasises dialogue and community engagement, has continued to serve as a catalyst for the ongoing surrender of insurgents and their families,” he said.
He further noted that collaboration with community leaders and humanitarian organisations had helped build trust and confidence among those willing to lay down their arms.
The commander stressed that the combination of kinetic and non-kinetic strategies remained critical in weakening insurgent groups such as Boko Haram and their affiliates.
He, however, cautioned that despite the encouraging trend, sustained efforts were required to prevent relapse and consolidate gains achieved so far.
“The fight is not over. We must sustain pressure on the remaining elements while strengthening stabilisation and reintegration efforts,” he said.
The Theatre Commander reaffirmed the commitment of troops under Operation Hadin Kai to restoring lasting peace and security in the North-East.
He added that continued collaboration among security agencies, government institutions and development partners would be essential in achieving enduring stability in the region.