ISWAP leader, two others surrender to soldiers in Borno

A senior finance operative of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP), along with two male children, has surrendered to troops of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the development in a statement released late Saturday, describing it as another major breakthrough in ongoing counterinsurgency operations.

Captain Mohammed Goni, acting Military Information Officer for Operation Hadin Kai in the North East, said the surrender took place at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route in Borno State.

The statement reads, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, underscoring the sustained impact of ongoing kinetic and intelligence-driven operations across the North East.”

Goni noted that the surrender comes amid an increasing trend of insurgents laying down their arms, with about 46 terrorists and their family members reportedly surrendering in recent days.

He attributed the development to sustained land and air offensives carried out by Operation Hadin Kai against insurgent strongholds.

“The terrorist surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on 25 July 2026 along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route,” he said.

“Preliminary profiling indicates that the terrorist served as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the group’s financial activities and logistics. He surrendered alongside two male children,” he stated.

The Army disclosed that items recovered from the suspect include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a motorcycle, and ₦40,000.

“The individual is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to exploit actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and facilitate the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the Theatre,” he stressed.

Goni added that the surrender of such a key figure represents a significant blow to ISWAP’s structure and logistics network.

“Coupled with the increasing number of recent surrenders, this development confirms deepening disillusionment within terrorist ranks and points to an accelerating wave of defections from terrorist camps,” he emphasised.

He reaffirmed the commitment of Operation Hadin Kai to restoring peace and stability in the North East.

“The Theatre Command therefore calls on all remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms before it is too late,” he added.

Goni also urged the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.