Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian military has recorded another major breakthrough in its counter-terrorism campaign, as a fresh group of top leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and 76 foot soldiers, along with members of their families, have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East theatre of operations. The development, announced on Sunday, June 28, 2026, by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Captain Muhammad Goni, underscores the devastating impact of sustained military offensives against terrorist enclaves in the region.
According to a statement released by Captain Goni, the insurgents abandoned their hideouts and laid down their arms after coming under intense military pressure. "The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, has continued to record significant operational successes in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists through sustained operations backed by credible, timely and actionable intelligence," the statement read. "In another major breakthrough, a fresh group of top ISWAP terrorist leaders have abandoned their enclaves and surrendered to troops within the North-East theatre of operations."
Among those who surrendered are key members of the terrorist network, including senior commanders whose identities have been withheld for security reasons. They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing, and other established procedures in accordance with operational protocols. Captain Goni noted that within the last week alone, a total of 76 terrorist foot soldiers, along with some of their family members, surrendered to troops. The wave of surrenders reflects the impact of ongoing counter-terrorism operations, which have continued to dismantle terrorist camps, disrupt command structures, and weaken the group's logistics network.
Persistent military operations have significantly degraded the terrorists' combat capabilities while eroding confidence within their ranks and leadership. The operational gains demonstrate the effectiveness of the Nigerian military's comprehensive counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency strategy, combining precision combat operations, intelligence-led engagements, and coordinated joint efforts with partners. Captain Goni assured that Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mission to completely defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East. "The pressure on the remaining terrorist elements will continue unabated until they are completely neutralised or forced to surrender," the statement added.
The surrender comes just days after a woman identified as the wife of an ISWAP fighter surrendered to troops of the 19 Brigade at Cross Kauwa in Borno State with her two-month-old baby, citing worsening living conditions inside the terrorist enclave. It also follows the earlier surrender of two high-ranking ISWAP commanders, Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar, who gave themselves up to troops of the 159 Battalion in Geidam, Yobe State, on June 8, 2026. These successive surrenders signal a growing trend of defections within the terrorist group, driven by relentless military pressure and the degrading conditions inside their enclaves.
As the military continues to tighten the noose around ISWAP and Boko Haram strongholds, the latest surrender of top commanders and fighters represents a significant victory in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria's North-East. The military has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on the remaining insurgents until they are either neutralised or compelled to surrender, with the ultimate goal of restoring lasting peace across the region.
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