The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has officially expanded its surrender program for armed criminals, opening the door for gunmen, militants, and separatists across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria to lay down their weapons. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, made this known on Monday in Abuja while answering questions about the recent surrender of some militants to troops of Operation Udo Ka in the South-East. Military authorities noted that the voluntary surrenders prove that heavy military operations, combined with strategic intelligence and inter-agency collaboration, are breaking the back of criminal networks and forcing fighters to turn a new leaf. In response, the military set up Operation Udo Ka to crush these criminal elements and restore normal life to the region. With Tuesday’s announcement, the Defence Headquarters has made it clear that gunmen operating anywhere in Nigeria can either surrender peacefully or face the full force of the military.