Over 124,000 terrorists, dependents surrender in three years — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Friday disclosed that more than 124,000 fighters and their dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.

He said the administration has intensified military pressure on remaining insurgent and bandit networks across the country.

Tinubu stated this during his national address to mark Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day celebration, his fourth since assuming office in 2023.

The Nigerian leader said, “We keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.”

He framed the figure as evidence of a dual-track strategy combining military pressure with reintegration pathways for those willing to renounce violence.

Tinubu also tied the figure to the broader gains recorded under his administration’s security reset, which has also seen a record N5.41tn security budget for 2026, the recruitment of over 50,000 new police officers, and a strategic pivot toward precision targeting that resulted in the degradation of ISWAP’s command centre in Arege, Borno State, and the elimination of senior commanders including Abu-Bilal al-Minuki in a joint Nigeria-US operation in May.

With three years of experience, Stephen, The PUNCH correspondent, has been covering Nigeria’s presidency, politics, security, immigration and trafficking in persons

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