958 insurgents, families surrender in 2026 – Army

The Theatre Commander of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, says no fewer than 958 insurgents and their family members have surrendered to troops across the region since the beginning of 2026.

Abubakar made the disclosure on Wednesday during a media briefing in Maiduguri, noting that the figure reflects a continuing trend of mass surrenders recorded in recent years.

He revealed that from 2021 to date, a total of 152,864 insurgents and their families have laid down their arms. The breakdown, he said, includes 20,815 male fighters, 37,095 women, and 64,114 children.

According to the commander, the steady wave of surrenders is largely due to sustained military offensives, the weakening of insurgent groups, and the effectiveness of non-kinetic strategies.

He explained that many of those who surrendered cited intense pressure from troops, the collapse of their command structures, and worsening conditions within their enclaves as reasons for abandoning the fight.

Abubakar added that all surrendered individuals undergo thorough screening and debriefing to generate intelligence that supports ongoing operations.

“Information gathered from the debriefing process has significantly enhanced our planning and contributed to recent operational successes,” he said.

He also highlighted the role of the Borno Model, a deradicalisation and reintegration initiative of the Borno State Government, in encouraging more insurgents to surrender.

According to him, the programme, implemented in partnership with local and international stakeholders, provides a structured pathway for disengagement and reintegration into society.

The commander further noted that collaboration with community leaders and humanitarian organisations has helped build confidence among those willing to surrender.

While describing the development as positive, he cautioned that sustained efforts are needed to prevent a relapse and consolidate gains.

“The fight is not over. We must maintain pressure on the remaining elements while strengthening stabilisation and reintegration efforts,” he said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of troops under Operation Hadin Kai to restoring peace and security in the North-East, stressing the need for continued collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, and development partners.