Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, while a separate operation in Adamawa State led to the arrest of six suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate, in what the military has described as further evidence of sustained pressure against criminal networks in the North-East. The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the developments in a statement on Monday, September 14, 2026.
The surrendered terrorist was received by troops of the 29 Task Force Brigade, operating under Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, in conjunction with Forest Guards, at Borgozo in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State, on September 13, 2026. Preliminary investigation revealed that the terrorist escaped from a terrorist enclave with the intention of abandoning terrorism. Items recovered from him included one AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, four magazines, one Improvised Explosive Device, one magazine pouch and a bicycle. The surrendered terrorist is currently in military custody undergoing further investigation and profiling in accordance with extant procedures. His decision to walk out of the bush and hand himself over is a significant indicator of the internal fractures and mounting pressure that have forced fighters to seek a way out of the insurgency.
In Adamawa State, troops of Sector 4 of Operation Hadin Kai, working in conjunction with local hunters, arrested six suspected kidnappers operating around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area. The operation followed credible human intelligence on the activities of a suspected kidnapping syndicate in the area. The troops swiftly mobilised and raided the identified hideout, leading to the arrest of three suspected members of the syndicate and the recovery of one Dane gun. Further investigation and subsequent covert operations led to the arrest of three additional members of the syndicate, bringing the total number of suspects arrested to six.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate had been operating within the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero general areas of Song Local Government Area. The suspects also reportedly admitted involvement in the abduction of several victims for ransom and other violent crimes within the area. They remain in military custody for further investigation and appropriate legal action. The arrest of the six suspects is a significant blow to the kidnapping network that has terrorised communities in Song LGA and surrounding areas, where farmers and travellers have been targeted for ransom.
The successes underscore the sustained pressure being mounted by troops of Operation Hadin Kai against terrorists and other criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area. The Theatre Command remains committed to sustaining offensive operations, denying terrorists and other criminal elements freedom of action, creating a safer environment for law-abiding citizens and enabling an environment for socioeconomic activities to thrive. The surrender of the Boko Haram fighter and the arrest of the six kidnappers are part of a broader pattern of military gains in the North-East, where troops have intensified intelligence-led operations against insurgents and criminal networks.
The surrender of the terrorist at Borgozo follows a series of similar defections in recent weeks. On September 2, 2026, a Boko Haram terrorist surrendered to troops in Pulka, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State, handing over a Rocket-Propelled Grenade launcher and an RPG bomb. On the same day, two suspected ISWAP members, Jidda Modu and Kaka Kawu, surrendered to Nigerian Army troops in Borno. On September 4, 2026, two teenage terrorists surrendered to troops of Sector 3 in Monguno Local Government Area, and an 11-year-old female captive was rescued. Between September 4 and 7, 2026, a total of 17 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered to troops in Monguno town and along the Gwoza-Limankara Road. The steady stream of surrenders suggests that the military's combination of kinetic operations and non-kinetic measures, including the promise of rehabilitation through Operation Safe Corridor, is beginning to yield results.
The surrender of a fighter who walked out of a terrorist enclave with an AK-47 and an Improvised Explosive Device is a stark illustration of the choices facing those still in the bush. For years, Boko Haram and ISWAP have maintained their grip on fighters through a mixture of ideology, coercion and the promise of reward. But as military pressure has intensified and internal rivalries have deepened, the calculus has shifted. Fighters are now weighing the risks of remaining in the insurgency against the possibility of surrendering and seeking a path back to normal life. The fact that this particular fighter chose to abandon terrorism, rather than fight to the death, is a signal that the insurgency's cohesion is eroding.
For the people of the North-East, the surrender and the arrests offer a measure of hope. In Borno and Adamawa, communities have endured years of violence, displacement and fear. The surrender of a terrorist and the dismantling of a kidnapping syndicate are small but meaningful victories in a long and difficult war. The military has urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to tracking criminal elements, preventing attacks and restoring lasting peace across the Joint Operations Area. The message from the Theatre Command is clear: the pressure will not relent, and the door remains open for those willing to abandon terrorism. For those who continue to terrorise innocent citizens, the long arm of the law is closing in.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments