The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has formally expanded its voluntary surrender policy to non-state actors operating in the South-East, South-South, and South-West regions.
The surrender window—previously restricted largely to Boko Haram, ISWAP, and bandits across the North-East, North-West, and North-Central geopolitical zones—is now open nationwide to armed groups, including members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, disclosed the policy expansion in Abuja while addressing journalists regarding recent surrenders to troops of Operation Udo Ka in the South-East.
Key Operational Highlights
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Nationwide Policy Extension: The military’s non-kinetic surrender framework now covers armed fighters in the South-East, South-South, and South-West without setting a cut-off deadline.
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No Expiration Date: Maj. Gen. Onoja confirmed there is no formal deadline for fighters wishing to lay down their arms, though he warned that offensive military operations will intensify simultaneously.
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Adherence to International Law: Surrendering fighters will be received in compliance with International Humanitarian Law and Geneva Conventions before being handed over to relevant legal authorities.
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Recent Breakthroughs under Operation Udo Ka: The announcement follows recent operations in the Ohaji-Egbema and Orsumoghu axes of Imo and Anambra states, where sustained logistics strangulation by 82 Division troops forced several militant cells to surrender. Recovered armaments include AK-47 rifles, General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and ammunition caches exhumed from buried armories.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ DHQ NATIONWIDE SURRENDER POLICY EXPANSION MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Announcing Body : Defence Headquarters (DHQ, Abuja) │
│ │
│ • Lead Spokesman : Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja (Dir. Defence Media Ops) │
│ │
│ • Geographic Scope : Expanded from Northern zones to South-East, │
│ South-South, and South-West │
│ │
│ • Key Operational : Operation Udo Ka (Joint Task Force South-East) │
│ Theatre │
│ │
│ • Policy Framework : Dual approach — voluntary amnesty/surrender │
│ paired with intensified kinetic strikes │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘“They Are Welcome to Surrender”
Clarifying the military’s stance on non-state actors in the southern geopolitical zones, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, stated:
“They are welcome to surrender. The Armed Forces of Nigeria 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.” — Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations
Responding to questions on whether a time limit exists for gunmen seeking to lay down their weapons, General Onoja added:
“No. They are allowed to surrender any time they wish to. However, military kinetic operation is being intensified.” — Major General Michael Onoja
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
