Nigeria says Boko Haram "decimated" as 13,500 killed, 124,000 surrender under Tinubu IN TWO YEARS

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has said that over 13,500 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents have been killed since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023.

According to Ribadu, further 124,408 fighters and their family members have surrendered to authorities, Caliber.Az reports per Nigerian media.

Speaking at a national summit of the ruling All Progressives Congress to mark two years of President Tinubu’s administration, Ribadu gave a detailed account of efforts to tackle insecurity across Nigeria.

The figures are part of a 19-page presentation titled Nigeria’s Achievement on National Security (2023–2025), which outlines progress and ongoing challenges in the fight against insurgency, banditry, separatist violence and other security threats.

In the North-East, long the epicentre of Boko Haram violence, Ribadu said that 13,543 insurgents had been killed. He added that the surrender of over 124,000 fighters and family members marks a major shift in the conflict. More than 11,000 weapons and 252,596 rounds of ammunition have also been recovered and destroyed.

In the North-West, a region plagued by rampant banditry and kidnappings, Ribadu said over 50 top bandit leaders and 70 of their deputies had been killed. High-profile figures such as Halilu Sububu, Ali Kawaje (popularly known as Ali Kachala), Boderi Isyaku, Isuhu Yellow and Dumuna were among those eliminated, he added.

A further 35 warlords have reportedly surrendered as part of a new non-kinetic strategy dubbed the “Kaduna Model”. Under a new initiative named “Operation Safe Corridor North-West”, the government aims to rehabilitate repentant fighters.

Ribadu also disclosed that 11,250 hostages have been rescued from various terrorist hideouts in the region.

In the oil-rich Niger Delta, security forces have dismantled nearly 2,000 illegal refineries. Authorities say they have also destroyed 3,849 dugout pits and 3,773 illegal cooking ovens as part of a crackdown on oil theft and environmental degradation under “Operation Safe Delta”.

Turning to the South-East, where separatist tensions persist, the NSA said key operatives of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) — the armed wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) — had either been killed or captured. The group, known for enforcing a Monday sit-at-home order and targeting security forces, has seen its influence wane, he said.

Ribadu claimed that violent attacks in the region have “significantly reduced”, with more than 50 police stations and numerous posts rebuilt as normal life gradually returns.

While praising the administration’s security gains, Ribadu acknowledged the continuing challenges and called for sustained national commitment and cooperation across all levels of government to ensure long-term peace and stability.

By Aghakazim Guliyev