By Chimezie Godfrey
The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, has announced the surrender of two senior terrorist commanders to troops in Geidam, describing the development as another major breakthrough in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the North East.
According to the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the two commanders surrendered to troops of Sector 2 in Geidam on July 4, 2026, before arriving in Maiduguri at about 7:30 p.m. on July 5, where they are currently in military custody for profiling, debriefing and intelligence exploitation.
Captain Goni said preliminary investigations indicate that the surrendered terrorists occupied influential positions within the leadership hierarchy of the terrorist group and possess extensive knowledge of its operations, command structure and logistics network.
He explained that intelligence already obtained from their debriefing has provided valuable insights into the group’s operational methods, sustainment mechanisms and support systems, adding that the information would strengthen ongoing intelligence-driven operations targeting remaining terrorist enclaves across the North East.
”The initial intelligence gathered from the surrendered commanders is expected to significantly enhance ongoing operations aimed at locating, disrupting and dismantling the remaining terrorist hideouts in the theatre,” he said.
The military spokesman noted that the surrender represents another major setback for the insurgents and underscores the effectiveness of sustained offensive operations being conducted by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with other security partners.
He attributed the development to sustained land and air offensives, supported by enhanced intelligence operations, which he said have continued to restrict the terrorists’ freedom of movement, degrade their fighting capability and weaken their command and control structures.
According to him, the sustained military pressure has made it increasingly difficult for many terrorist leaders and fighters to continue the insurgency, forcing them to surrender.
Captain Goni added that the latest surrender reflects the growing disintegration of the terrorist group and the cumulative impact of ongoing military operations across the North East theatre.
He reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to sustaining the current operational momentum until all terrorist elements are either neutralised or compelled to surrender.
The military also assured that troops would continue to exploit actionable intelligence, intensify offensive operations and collaborate closely with relevant stakeholders to eliminate the terrorist threat and restore lasting peace, security and stability across the North East.
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