By ZAKAA LAZARUS
The sustained onslaught by troops of Operation HADIN KAI has forced scores of terrorist fighters and their family members to surrender in Borno State.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed this in the operational report for 9th – 15th October, 2026, issued to defence correspondents in Abuja.
According to him, the surrender began on 9th October, when one Iyakura Umar, identified as a terrorist family member, escaped from Iyaganari in Dikwa Local Government Area with her one-year-old daughter and surrendered to troops at Dikwa-Gulumba.
On 13th October, three individuals surrendered at Miyanti in Bama LGA, handing over one FN rifle, two magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition. On the same day, one Abacha Akura surrendered in Monguno town with one AK-101 rifle and 31 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, after escaping from a terrorist camp at Tumbunma Village, near Bukar Meriam in Marte LGA.
Similarly, on 15th October, one Abba Bukar surrendered in Monguno from the same location.
The report added that on 14th October, troops received two surrendered fighters and their spouses from Bula Daloye in Bama LGA, with two AK-47 rifles, four magazines and 14 rounds of ammunition, while eight additional family members surrendered at Banki Junction, Bama LGA.
In the North Central, troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD recorded the voluntary surrender of one Sidi Kamaki on 9th October in Audu Fari, Borgu LGA, Niger State. He claimed to have spent about two years with an armed group linked to the Shekau faction and participated in six operations in Borgu and the Republic of Benin.
The Defence Headquarters said the surrenders reflect mounting pressure from coordinated raids, clearance operations and collaboration with Civilian Joint Task Force and other security agencies.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, commended troops for sustaining operational momentum and urged continued vigilance to deny criminal elements freedom of action.
