20,815 Boko Haram fighters surrendered in 5 years – Theatre Commander

Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, has said that at least 20,815 active Boko Haram fighters have surrendered to troops in 5 years. The Theatre Commander disclosed this while briefing journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday. Maj-Gen Abubakar noted that in 2026 alone, over 958 insurgents and their […]

Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, the Theatre Commander, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, has said that at least 20,815 active Boko Haram fighters have surrendered to troops in 5 years.

The Theatre Commander disclosed this while briefing journalists in Maiduguri on Wednesday.

Maj-Gen Abubakar noted that in 2026 alone, over 958 insurgents and their family members had surrendered to troops across the region.

He said this recent figure formed part of a sustained trend of mass surrenders recorded since 2021, with a cumulative total of 152,864 insurgents and their families laying down arms.

Of the cumulative number, the commander said 20,815 were active male fighters, 37,095 are women, while 64,114 are children.

“The steady increase in surrenders is a direct result of sustained military pressure, degradation of terrorist capabilities, and effective non-kinetic measures,” he said.

Maj-Gen Abubakar revealed that many of those who surrendered cited operational pressure from troops, collapse of their command structures, and worsening living conditions within insurgent enclaves as reasons for their decision.

He further explained that all surrendered individuals went through detailed screening and debriefing processes to generate intelligence for ongoing operations.

“Information obtained from the debriefing of these individuals has significantly enhanced our operational planning and contributed to recent successes in the theatre,” he added.

He also highlighted the role of the Borno State Government’s deradicalisation, rehabilitation and reintegration initiative, popularly known as the “Borno Model,” in encouraging more fighters to surrender.

Maj-Gen Abubakar noted that the programme was implemented in collaboration with local and international partners, which provides a structured pathway for repentant insurgents to disengage from violence and reintegrate into society.