Soldier of the Nigerian military
The Nigeria Defence Headquarters has announced that its surrender policy for non-state armed groups now applies nationwide, extending beyond the North-East, North-West and North-Central to include the South-East, South-South and South-West.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed the development in Abuja while responding to questions on the recent surrender of suspected militants to troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East. Confirming the expansion of the policy, Onoja said all non-state actors willing to lay down their arms would be accepted by the Armed Forces.
“Yes. They are welcome to surrender,” he said.
He explained that those who surrender would be treated in accordance with international law, the Geneva Conventions and Nigeria’s constitutional provisions before being handed over to the appropriate legal authorities for further action.
“The Armed Forces continues to act in line with its rules of engagement, International Humanitarian Law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added. Africans & Diaspora.
On whether the military had fixed a deadline for armed groups to surrender, Onoja said there was none, stressing that the opportunity remains open at any time despite ongoing military offensives.
“No. They are allowed to surrender any time they wish to. However, military kinetic operations are being intensified,” he said.
The announcement follows the Nigerian Army’s recent disclosure that sustained operations under Operation UDO KA prompted members of an armed group in the South-East to voluntarily surrender to troops.
According to the Army, soldiers of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East recovered an AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four locally fabricated firearms after one of the suspects led troops to the group’s armoury.
In a separate intelligence-driven operation, troops also recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns, 45 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and an improvised explosive device.
The military described the voluntary surrender as evidence that sustained offensive operations, strategic engagements and collaboration with other security agencies are weakening criminal networks and encouraging fighters to abandon violence.
The South-East has experienced persistent insecurity in recent years, with attacks targeting security personnel, government facilities and civilians. In response, the military launched Operation UDO KA to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace in the region.
Until now, the military’s surrender programme had been largely associated with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in the North-East, as well as bandits and other armed groups operating in parts of the North-West and North-Central.
The latest announcement marks a significant shift in the military’s approach, making the surrender option available to armed non-state actors across all operational theatres in the country.
