The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has expanded its surrender programme to cover armed groups across every region of Nigeria, giving gunmen, militants and separatists the opportunity to lay down their weapons before facing intensified military operations.
Previously limited to Boko Haram, ISWAP terrorists and bandits operating in the North-East, North-West and North-Central, the initiative now extends to non-state armed groups in the South-East, South-South and South-West.
Speaking in Abuja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, confirmed that anyone willing to surrender would be accepted in line with international humanitarian laws and subsequently handed over to the appropriate legal authorities for further action.
Onoja also clarified that there is no deadline for armed criminals to surrender. However, he warned that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to intensify offensive operations against those who refuse to embrace peace.
The announcement follows recent military successes under Operation Udo Ka in the South-East, where sustained pressure forced several suspects to surrender. Troops recovered an AK-47 rifle, magazines, live ammunition, locally fabricated firearms, machine guns and an improvised explosive device after intelligence-led operations.
According to the military, the increasing number of voluntary surrenders demonstrates that ongoing operations and intelligence gathering are weakening criminal networks. The DHQ reiterated that armed groups anywhere in Nigeria now have two choices: surrender peacefully or face the full force of the military.
