The sustained offensive operations of troops under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have continued to weaken terrorist groups in the North East, leading to the voluntary surrender of 17 family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) in separate incidents in Borno State.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the first surrender occurred at about 9:15 a.m. on August 4, 2026, when 16 JAS family members—comprising 10 women and six children—voluntarily surrendered to troops of the 222 Battalion during a domination patrol along the Gezuwa axis in Konduga Local Government Area.
During preliminary debriefing, the surrendered individuals said the sustained military pressure on terrorist enclaves compelled them to abandon the insurgents and surrender to troops. A total of ₦92,000 was recovered from the group.
In a related development, an 11-year-old JAS family member also surrendered to troops of the 202 Battalion under Sector 1 in Bama Local Government Area at about 12:04 p.m. on the same day.
The minor similarly attributed the decision to surrender to the relentless operational pressure being mounted by troops against terrorist elements across the theatre of operations.
The military said all the surrendered individuals are currently in custody undergoing preliminary profiling and debriefing before being handed over to the appropriate authorities for further screening, rehabilitation where applicable, and other administrative procedures in line with established guidelines.
Operation HADIN KAI noted that the latest surrender underscores the impact of its ongoing offensive aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves, disrupting insurgents’ communication and logistics networks, and denying them freedom of movement across the North East.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations against terrorist groups, maintaining pressure on their hideouts, and encouraging willing insurgents and their family members to surrender through established procedures while continuing efforts to restore lasting peace and security in the region.
