130,000 Boko Haram Members Surrender in Nigeria Over Five Months

Nigerian military credits a mix of military pressure and rehabilitation programs for the mass defections, though hunger and poor conditions also played a role.

• The Nigerian military reports that nearly 130,000 Boko Haram members, including fighters and their families, have surrendered since July 2024.
• General Christopher Musa announced the figures during the Africa Security Watch Conference in Qatar, highlighting the government's combined military and civilian approach.
• Many former Boko Haram members cited hunger and deteriorating living conditions as reasons for their surrender.
• The group, active since 2002, has caused widespread violence across Nigeria and neighboring countries, displacing millions and killing tens of thousands.
• The Nigerian government has seen progress in its strategy of pairing military operations with socio-economic initiatives, though challenges remain in fully stabilizing affected regions.

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