Hunger, harsh living conditions and a lack of basic necessities in terrorist enclaves have forced 331 insurgents and their family members to surrender to the Nigerian military in the third quarter of 2026, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has said.

The development, according to the military, coincided with intensified offensives and the disruption of terrorist logistics networks, particularly in North East Nigeria.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 30, at the Defence Headquarters during a press briefing on ongoing military operations across the country.

Onoja said more than 90 terrorist fighters and their family members surrendered in September alone, while the third-quarter total rose to 331 insurgents and their families.

“The surrendering persons consistently cited harsh living conditions, hunger and the lack of basic provisions within terrorist enclaves in the Mandara Mountains and the Lake Chad region as reasons for their surrender,” Onoja said.

According to him, the development was complemented by intensified military operations aimed at disrupting the terrorists’ sources of supply and denying them freedom of action.

In September, Onoja said troops of Operation HADIN KAI arrested suspected terrorist logistics suppliers across Borno and Yobe states and seized foodstuffs, medical and veterinary supplies, pharmaceuticals, motorcycle spare parts, vehicles and cash allegedly intended for terrorists.

He said troops also arrested a logistics supplier conveying Starlink internet devices destined for Chad along the Dikwa-Gamboru Road on September 23.

Onoja said the military recorded more than 70 surrenders at Monguno, Pulka, Gwoza, Dikwa, Bama and Ngala during the month.

Among those who surrendered was a terrorist who gave up an AK-47 rifle, a hand grenade and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Benisheikh on September 13.

According to the military spokesperson, two Boko Haram fighters from the Bula Daloye enclave in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State also surrendered on September 17 with three AK-47 rifles.

“Similarly, further surrenders were recorded at Bama, Monguno and along the Kuranabasa axis in Gwoza Local Government Area on September 25 and 26,” he said.

Onoja said one of the latest escapees had fled an ISWAP camp at Kolorom Village near Jubilaram in the Lake Chad region before surrendering to troops.

The military’s operations also resulted in the rescue of 44 terrorist family members, comprising 13 women and 31 children, at Konduga in Bama Local Government Area on September 24.

Onoja said the group had fled their enclaves amid clashes between rival terrorist factions.

He said the military also continued to pressure terrorist networks through offensive operations, with Operation HADIN KAI troops neutralising 27 terrorist fighters, arresting 49 and rescuing 103 kidnapped victims in September.

“Cumulatively, troops of Operation HADIN KAI neutralised 273 terrorist fighters, arrested 348 terrorists and rescued 297 kidnapped victims during the third quarter, while 331 insurgents and their families surrendered,” he said.

Onoja said the trend demonstrated the impact of sustained military pressure and the disruption of terrorist logistics networks.

Beyond the North East, the military spokesperson said troops sustained operations against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other criminal activities across the country.

In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA troops rescued 171 kidnapped victims and arrested 26 terrorists in September, while an air operation in Kebbi State on September 17 disrupted the movement of terrorists transporting a large number of captives, enabling more than 60 victims to escape.

In the North Central, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE rescued 320 kidnapped victims in the month, while Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD troops rescued 27 victims and cleared 12 IEDs in parts of Niger and Kwara states.

Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE also arrested 155 suspects and rescued 28 kidnapped victims in Bauchi, Kaduna and Plateau states.

In the South South, Operation DELTA SAFE troops continued to target oil theft and illegal refining, destroying eight illegal refining sites and recovering more than 304,822 litres of petroleum products in September.

Onoja said the Nigerian military would sustain kinetic and non-kinetic operations across the theatres to consolidate the gains recorded and further enhance operational effectiveness.

He said troops remained focused on protecting lives and property, denying criminal groups freedom of action and safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity. (The Nation)