By Odita Sunday
The number of terrorists and their associates surrendering to troops of Operation Hadin Kai has risen by 213 per cent in the past week, following sustained military operations across the North-East.
The Theatre Command, in a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the increase followed coordinated ground operations, engagements against terrorist positions and disruption of their logistics and supply routes.
According to the statement, the surge in surrenders reflects the growing impact of sustained military pressure on terrorist fighters and associates operating in the theatre.
The command said two high-profile terrorist members surrendered to troops on Tuesday, August 12, bringing with them arms, ammunition and other military items.
It said the recovery of the weapons further indicated the impact of military operations on the cohesion, morale and operational capacity of terrorist elements.
The command also disclosed that other terrorists surrendered to troops of 202 Battalion, Bama, on August 7 at New Abaram, following sustained military operations and internal disagreements within the terrorist enclave.
The surrendered terrorists were screened, while mobile phones and other items were recovered from them before they were handed over for further action in line with established procedures.
The Theatre Command said the increasing frequency of surrenders was evidence of the effectiveness of its multi-dimensional approach, which combines offensive ground operations, precision engagements and disruption of terrorist logistics and supply networks.
It said the sustained pressure had denied terrorists the opportunity to freely manoeuvre, regroup and replenish their resources, thereby weakening their ability to sustain prolonged operations.
“The trend therefore represents more than isolated individual decisions, but the cumulative impact of sustained pressure and the gradual erosion of terrorist capability, cohesion and willingness to continue the fight,” the statement said.
Operation Hadin Kai, it added, would sustain military pressure against terrorist elements while providing appropriate channels for those willing to surrender.
The command said its objective remained to degrade terrorist capabilities, restore security and create conditions for lasting peace and stability across the North-East.
It urged members of the public to continue supporting military operations by providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
The command also appealed to terrorists and their associates to abandon violence and take advantage of available surrender channels.
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