The Nigerian military says several top commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered to troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, following intensified counter-insurgency operations across the region.
The military also disclosed that 76 ISWAP foot soldiers, along with some of their family members, surrendered within the past week.
The Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, announced the development in a statement issued on Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The military did not reveal the identities of the surrendered commanders or the locations where they laid down their arms, citing security concerns.
According to Goni, the latest surrenders resulted from sustained military pressure supported by intelligence-led operations targeting Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters across the North-East.
He said the surrendered commanders were among key members of the terrorist network who abandoned their hideouts as troops maintained pressure on insurgent positions.
"They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing and other established procedures in accordance with operational protocols," Goni said.
He added that the continued offensive has disrupted terrorist command structures, logistics networks and freedom of movement, reducing the operational capacity of insurgent groups in the region.
Goni also noted that military operations have weakened the morale of both fighters and their leadership, contributing to the growing number of surrenders.
"Within the last week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers with some families surrendered to troops," he said.
The military said the recent gains reflect the effectiveness of its strategy, which combines precision combat operations, intelligence-driven missions and joint efforts with other security agencies.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining operations against remaining insurgents, stating that military pressure would continue until they are neutralised or surrender.
