Seventy-six commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered to the Nigerian military following intensified operations in the North-East.
The spokesman for Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, announced the development in a statement on Monday.
Goni said the commanders gave themselves up after sustained air and ground offensives forced them to abandon their camps. He added that the operations were backed by intelligence.
“Several senior ISWAP figures are among those who surrendered and are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing and other procedures in line with established operational protocols,” the statement said.
The military said the latest surrender shows the impact of its ongoing efforts to break up terrorist networks, disrupt their command and supply systems, and limit their freedom of movement.
It added that the surrender of the terrorists, including fighters who turned themselves in with their families, reflects the continued decline in the group’s operational strength and morale.
