THE Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has expanded its surrender policy for non-state actors across Nigeria, extending the initiative beyond insurgency-ravaged northern regions to cover armed groups operating in the South-East, South-South and South-West.
News Point Nigeria reports that the policy, which was previously limited largely to terrorists and bandits operating in the North-East, North-West and North-Central, will now apply nationwide.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the development on Monday in Abuja while responding to questions on the recent surrender of some militants to troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East.
Asked whether the surrender option had now been extended beyond regions affected by insurgency, Onoja answered in the affirmative.
“Yes. They are welcome to surrender.
“The AFN will receive them in line with international law and other Geneva Conventions and transfer them to the relevant legal authorities for necessary 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 said.
Speaking further, the defence spokesman clarified that there was no deadline for non-state actors willing to lay down their arms.
“No. They are allowed to surrender any time they wish to. However, military kinetic operation is being intensified,” Onoja stated.
The announcement comes just days after the Nigerian Army disclosed that sustained military operations under Operation UDO KA had compelled members of a militant group in the South-East to voluntarily surrender their weapons.
According to the Army, troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East recovered one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four locally fabricated firearms after one of the surrendered suspects led soldiers to the group’s armoury.
In a separate intelligence-led operation, troops also recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns, 45 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and one improvised explosive device.
The military described the voluntary surrender as evidence that sustained offensive operations, strategic engagements and collaboration with other security agencies were gradually weakening criminal networks and encouraging fighters to renounce violence.
The South-East has witnessed persistent insecurity in recent years, including attacks on security personnel, government facilities and civilians by armed groups.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the military launched Operation UDO KA to dismantle criminal networks and restore lasting peace across the region.
Until now, the military’s surrender programme had largely been 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.
Monday’s announcement, however, signals a significant expansion of the policy, making the surrender framework applicable to non-state actors in all theatres of military operations across the country, including the South-East, South-South and South-West.