Nearly 1,000 insurgents, families surrender in North-East – Nigerian Army
Nigerian Troops Report Mass Surrenders of Insurgents in 2026
At least 958 insurgents and their family members have surrendered to Nigerian forces in the North-East region this year, according to Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.
Abubakar shared the information during a press briefing in Maiduguri on Wednesday, noting that this recent number contributes to a rising trend of mass surrenders observed in recent years. He indicated that since 2021, a total of 152,864 insurgents and their families have laid down their arms, comprising 20,815 active male fighters, 37,095 women, and 64,114 children.
“The steady increase in surrenders is a direct result of sustained military pressure, the degradation of terrorist capabilities, and effective non-kinetic measures,” Abubakar stated.
He explained that many individuals who surrendered pointed to intense military operations, collapsing command structures, and deteriorating living conditions as primary motivations for their decision to abandon insurgency. All individuals who surrender are subject to thorough screening and interrogation, which the military utilizes to gather intelligence for ongoing operations.
“Information obtained from the debriefing of these individuals has significantly enhanced our operational planning and contributed to recent successes in the theater,” he added.
Abubakar also commended the Borno State Government’s deradicalization and reintegration program, known as the Borno Model, for facilitating the process. He noted that the initiative, developed with support from local and international partners, provides former insurgents with a clear pathway to reintegrate into society.
Collaboration with community leaders and humanitarian organizations has also played a crucial role in building trust with those considering surrender, according to Abubakar.
He emphasized the importance of combining military action with non-military strategies to effectively undermine groups such as Boko Haram. Despite the progress made, he cautioned that the fight against insurgency is not yet over and urged continued efforts to prevent former fighters from reverting to violence.
