DHQ reopens surrender window for S’East gunmen
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
News
Named sources
New plan
- Nigeria's Defence Headquarters has expanded its surrender policy to include armed groups in the South-East, South-South, and South-West, previously focused on northern regions.
- The policy welcomes any non-state actor to surrender at any time, aligning with international law and Geneva Conventions.
- This expansion follows recent military operations in the South-East that led to the surrender of militants and recovery of weapons, signaling weakened criminal networks.
Nigeria's military has broadened its surrender policy, now extending an olive branch to armed groups operating in the southern regions of the country. Previously, this policy primarily targeted terrorists and bandits in the North-East, North-West, and North-Central.
Yes. They are welcome to surrender.
The Defence Headquarters announced that individuals involved in armed groups across the South-East, South-South, and South-West are now welcome to surrender. Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj Gen Michael Onoja, confirmed that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will receive surrendering individuals in accordance with international law and the Geneva Conventions, before transferring them to legal authorities.
Onoja clarified that there is no deadline for non-state actors wishing to lay down their arms, though military kinetic operations are being intensified. This development comes shortly after the Nigerian Army reported that sustained operations under 'Operation Udo Ka' in the South-East compelled members of a militant group to voluntarily surrender their weapons. Troops recovered firearms and ammunition, which the military views as evidence that offensive operations are weakening criminal networks.
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 South-East has experienced persistent insecurity, with attacks on security personnel and government facilities. Operation Udo Ka was launched to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace. The expanded surrender policy signals a nationwide effort to encourage fighters to renounce violence and address insecurity across multiple regions.
No. They are allowed to surrender any time they wish to. However, military kinetic operation is being intensified.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
More Stories
From Our Blog
How the Same Story Looks Different in Different Countries
What Gets Lost (and Found) When News Is Translated
The Critical Role of Diaspora Media in Global News
What Travellers Should Know About Countries with Restricted Press
A Digital Nomad's Guide to Following Local News
