The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has expanded its surrender policy for non-state actors to cover the whole country.

The policy was previously limited largely to terrorists and bandits operating in the North-East, North-West and North-Central.

It now extends to armed groups in the South-East, South-South and South-West.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major-General Michael Onoja, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja while responding to questions on the recent surrender of militants to troops of Operation Udo Ka in the South-East.

Asked whether the surrender option had now been extended beyond insurgency-hit regions, Onoja replied, “Yes. They are welcome to surrender.”

“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,” he said, referring to the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He added: “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.”

Asked whether there was a deadline for non-state actors wishing to lay down their arms, Onoja said there was none.

“No. They are allowed to surrender any time they wish to. However, military kinetic operation is being intensified,” he said.

South-East Surrenders Preceded The Policy Expansion

The announcement came days after the Nigerian Army said sustained operations under Operation Udo Ka, its ongoing offensive against militant groups in the South-East, had compelled some fighters to voluntarily give up their weapons.

Troops of the 82 Division/Joint Task Force South-East recovered an AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, 54 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and four locally fabricated firearms after one suspect led them to the group’s armoury.

In a separate intelligence-led operation, troops also recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns, 45 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and an improvised explosive device.

The military described the voluntary surrenders as evidence that sustained offensive operations, strategic engagements and cooperation with other security agencies were weakening criminal networks and encouraging fighters to renounce violence.

The South-East has faced persistent insecurity in recent years, including attacks on security personnel, government facilities and civilians by armed groups, prompting the military to launch Operation Udo Ka to dismantle criminal networks and restore peace in the region.

Until now, the military’s surrender programme had been associated mainly with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in the North-East, as well as bandits and other armed groups in parts of the North-West and North-Central.

Monday’s announcement signals that the policy now applies to non-state actors in other theatres of operation, including the South-East, as the military continues offensive operations alongside the surrender option.