Nigeria Reports 300,000 Terrorists Surrendered Since 2016

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) of Nigeria reported that from 2016 to 2025, approximately 300,000 terrorists have surrendered, largely due to superior military firepower. Major General Yusuf Ali, the national coordinator of the Operation Safe Corridor (OPSC) program, disclosed that 2,615 ex-combatants have successfully graduated from this initiative, which is designed for the deradicalization, rehabilitation, and reintegration of former fighters into society.

The surrendered individuals include women and children; however, the OPSC does not admit them into the program. Instead, these groups are referred to state governments and organizations like UNICEF for assistance.

The program is dynamic, evolving in response to changing security realities across Nigeria, and aims to balance victim support with community engagement. The OPSC focuses on low-risk fighters, often coerced into joining groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP, and includes a six-month intensive rehabilitation program involving multiple agencies.