MAIDUGURI — Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have recorded another major breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, finance operative.
The development comes amid a wave of surrenders, with about 46 terrorists and their family members voluntarily laying down arms in recent days.
According to a statement by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, the operative surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026 along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route.
Captain Goni said the surrender followed sustained land and air offensives by Operation HADIN KAI against terrorist enclaves.
Preliminary profiling showed that the suspect served as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he managed the group’s finances and logistics. He surrendered alongside his two male children.
Items recovered include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, one motorcycle, and ₦40,000 cash. The suspect is undergoing further profiling and interrogation to obtain actionable intelligence.
The statement noted that the surrender of a key finance operative represents a significant setback for ISWAP and reflects growing disillusionment within terrorist ranks.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace in the North East and urged remaining terrorists to lay down arms. It also called on the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.
