DHQ Throws Door Open to Militants Nationwide, Says ‘Surrender Anytime’

• The Defence Headquarters has expanded its surrender policy nationwide, allowing militants and other armed groups across all regions of Nigeria to lay down their arms at any time while military operations against criminal elements continue.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has announced the expansion of its surrender policy for non-state armed groups across Nigeria, extending the initiative beyond insurgency-ravaged northern states to include the South-East, South-South and South-West.

The policy, which was previously applied mainly to Boko Haram, ISWAP terrorists and bandits operating in the North-East, North-West and North-Central, will now also cover militants and other armed groups in other parts of the country.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the development while responding to questions about the recent surrender of suspected militants to troops of Operation UDO KA in the South-East.

Confirming the policy shift, Onoja said all armed groups willing to abandon violence would be accepted in line with international humanitarian laws.

“Yes. They are welcome to surrender. The Armed Forces of Nigeria will receive them in line with international law and the Geneva Conventions and transfer them to the relevant legal authorities for necessary action,” he said.

He added that the military would continue to conduct its operations in accordance with its rules of engagement, international humanitarian law and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On whether there is a deadline for militants or other armed groups to surrender, Onoja said there is none.

“No. They are allowed to surrender any time they wish to. However, military kinetic operations are being intensified,” he stated.

The announcement follows the Nigerian Army’s recent disclosure that sustained operations under Operation UDO KA forced 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 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 security operatives to the group’s armoury.

In another intelligence-led operation, troops also recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), 45 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and an improvised explosive device (IED).

The military described the voluntary surrender as evidence that ongoing offensives, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with other security agencies are weakening criminal networks and encouraging fighters to renounce violence.

The South-East has witnessed years of insecurity, including attacks on security personnel, public facilities and civilians by armed groups. In response, the military launched Operation UDO KA to restore peace and dismantle criminal networks in the region.

With the latest announcement, the Armed Forces say the surrender programme is now open to all non-state actors across the country, even as security operations against those who refuse to lay down their arms continue.