Mass Surrender of 200,000 Terrorists in North East: Impact and Strategies

200,000 Terrorists Surrender: How the CDS Secured the North East

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Nigeria has reported that over 200,000 terrorists, mainly from Boko Haram and related factions, have surrendered and laid down arms in the North-East region.

This figure includes fighters and their families, emphasizing the effectiveness of non-kinetic approaches such as deradicalization programs.

These initiatives have been part of “Operation Safe Corridor,” which focuses on reintegration into society.

This surrender is seen as a step toward reducing insurgency and rebuilding affected areas.

However, the reintegration process has sparked debates, with some questioning its long-term security implications and the adequacy of measures to monitor those reintegrated into communities​.