Boko Haram: Over 200 Fighters Surrender in Lake Chad

Boko Haram fighters surrender

In a major win for regional stability and the fight against terrorism in West Africa, over 210 Boko Haram fighters and their families have surrendered to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) operating in the Lake Chad Basin. This development comes amid increased pressure from intensified military operations and targeted deradicalization campaigns across the region. The surrender represents a critical turning point in the battle against Boko Haram and highlights the growing success of combining kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in counterterrorism efforts.

The MNJTF, a regional security coalition comprising forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger, announced on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, that 210 Boko Haram terrorists surrendered to troops under Sector 2 Operation Lake Chad in Bol, Baga Sola. The group included not only combatants but also women and children associated with the insurgents.

According to Lt. Col. Olaniyi Osoba, the MNJTF spokesperson, the surrender followed sustained military offensives and psychological operations across the Lake Chad axis, targeting areas such as Bakatolerom, Barkalam, Litri, and Kaiga Ngbouboun.

“These individuals admitted their involvement in various terrorist acts,” Osoba stated. “Their decision to surrender is a testament to the growing pressure the MNJTF is mounting through both firepower and persuasion.”

During the surrender, troops recovered 10 assorted weapons of varying calibers. The fighters also provided intelligence about the activities, hideouts, and logistics routes of Boko Haram factions operating in the region.

This intelligence is expected to enhance ongoing counterterrorism strategies and help identify remaining pockets of insurgent activity. It also underscores the value of defectors not just in reducing enemy strength, but also in improving situational awareness for ground troops.

The Commander of Operation Lake Chad, Major General Moussa Haussa, lauded the troops’ efforts and reaffirmed the MNJTF's commitment to humane treatment of all who surrender. He emphasized that the former fighters and their families would be enrolled in comprehensive deradicalization and rehabilitation programs.

“There is no future in terrorism. We want to reintegrate these individuals into society as productive citizens. They will be treated according to international humanitarian standards,” said General Haussa.

These programs include psychological counseling, religious re-education, vocational training, and community reintegration to ensure that former insurgents do not return to violence.

Welcoming the surrendered fighters, the Governor of Lake Chad Region, Brigadier General Saleh Haggar Tidjani, announced that state-led initiatives are underway to facilitate reintegration. The plans include skill acquisition programs and economic empowerment packages aimed at helping former fighters transition into peaceful civilian life.

“We believe in second chances. By equipping these individuals with marketable skills and a support system, we can help break the cycle of violence and poverty that often fuels extremism,” Tidjani said.

The move aligns with broader peacebuilding and development goals in the Lake Chad region, which has long been plagued by insurgency, displacement, and underdevelopment.

This mass surrender marks one of the most significant setbacks for Boko Haram in recent years. The group, which once controlled vast territories across northeastern Nigeria and neighboring countries, has been gradually weakened by multinational military campaigns and internal divisions.

Experts believe that the growing trend of defections may signal a declining morale among fighters and increased receptiveness to government amnesty programs. Moreover, the MNJTF’s comprehensive approach combining military action with psychological warfare and socio-economic initiatives is proving effective in dismantling the insurgency from within.

The impact is expected to reverberate across the region, with other terrorist factions possibly following suit as pressure mounts.

The success of the MNJTF has been bolstered by international support, including logistical aid, intelligence sharing, and capacity-building initiatives from partners like the African Union, United Nations, and Western allies. These collaborations continue to be critical in addressing the cross-border nature of terrorism in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

Stakeholders are now urging for sustained funding and long-term commitment to stabilization and development programs to prevent a relapse into conflict.

Looking ahead, the MNJTF plans to expand its psychological operations, increase civil-military cooperation, and target remaining insurgent hideouts. Additionally, community leaders, religious figures, and NGOs are being mobilized to support reconciliation efforts and promote peace education in affected areas.

However, experts caution that the root causes of extremism poverty, lack of education, political marginalization, and weak governance—must be addressed if lasting peace is to be achieved.

Key Takeaways

• 210 Boko Haram fighters and families surrendered in Bol, Baga Sola.

• Weapons recovered and intelligence obtained from the defectors.

• MNJTF’s kinetic and non-kinetic approach is yielding results.

• Reintegration and deradicalization programs are being expanded.

• The surrender signals a turning point in the war against Boko Haram.

Stay informed about developments in regional security, counterterrorism, and peacebuilding. ➡️ Follow us for updates on Boko Haram, the Lake Chad crisis, and deradicalization efforts in West Africa. ➡️ Share this article to raise awareness and support the reintegration of ex-fighters into society. ➡️ Support community-based programs that promote peace, education, and economic empowerment in the region.

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