The Nigerian Army has recorded a 213 per cent increase in the number of terrorist fighters and associates surrendering to troops in the North-East, a development it said reflected growing pressure on terrorist groups.
The Army attributed the increase to sustained military operations targeting terrorist positions, logistics networks and supply routes, as troops intensify efforts to weaken the groups’ operational capabilities and freedom of movement.
The latest figures were contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Maiduguri by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai.
According to the statement, two high-profile members of terrorist groups also surrendered to troops, handing over arms, ammunition and other military equipment.
The Army said the recovery of the weapons further demonstrated the impact of sustained military pressure on the cohesion, morale and operational capacity of terrorist elements.
It added that the increasing number of surrenders pointed to a diminishing ability among the groups to retain fighters and sustain prolonged operations.
In a separate development, several terrorist members surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion in Bama following sustained military pressure and internal disagreements within their enclave.
The Army said the individuals were screened after surrendering, while mobile phones and other items were recovered before they were handed over for further action in line with established procedures.
It said the increasing frequency of surrenders was evidence of the impact of its multidimensional strategy, which combines ground offensives, precision engagements and disruption of terrorist logistics and supply networks.
According to the Army, restricting the terrorists’ ability to manoeuvre, regroup and replenish supplies was steadily undermining their capacity to sustain violent operations.
It described the rising surrender rate as more than a series of isolated decisions by individual fighters, saying it reflected the cumulative effect of sustained military pressure and the gradual erosion of terrorist capability and cohesion.
The Army encouraged terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and make use of established surrender channels, while urging members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information.
Operation Hadin Kai said it would maintain pressure on terrorist elements with the broader objective of degrading their capabilities, restoring security and creating conditions for lasting peace and stability across the North-East.