In what the Nigerian military has described as a major setback for the terrorist organisation, two high-profile Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders have surrendered to troops in Borno. The terrorists, identified as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar, who reportedly surrendered on June 8, 2026, are said to be currently in military custody and undergoing appropriate profiling and debriefing procedures.
Military Confirms Surrender of Key ISWAP Figures
In a statement yesterday, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, said preliminary assessments indicated that the two individuals occupied strategic positions within the terrorist hierarchy and operated within the Mangari axis of the Lake Chad region. According to the military, one of the surrendered commanders, Ismail Mohammed, was a close associate of senior ISWAP leader Baa Shuwa and possessed extensive knowledge of the group’s command structure and activities. The second individual, Abu Umar, was widely known within the terrorist network as a skilled explosives specialist with responsibilities linked to the fabrication and maintenance of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and other combat-support equipment used by the terrorists.
Sani further disclosed that another high-profile terrorist, a member of the ISWAP Shurah Council named Mohammed Khalifa, was neutralised during OPHK joint operations. He described the surrender by the two commanders as a major setback to the terrorist organisation, particularly given their experience, influence, and technical expertise acquired over several years within the insurgent network. He further explained that their decision to flee and surrender underscored the effectiveness of sustained offensives by OPHK troops, complemented by precision engagement support from allied partners against terrorist enclaves across the theatre.
The development further demonstrated the growing desperation and declining morale within terrorist ranks as relentless military pressure continues to deny them freedom of action and safe havens, he added. It also reinforces the effectiveness of ongoing efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist leadership structures and disrupting their operational capabilities. The military will continue to exploit all available opportunities to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting stability to the affected communities.
Senate Demands Action Against Online Criminal Showcasing
Meanwhile, amid growing concerns over the brazenness of criminal networks operating online, the Senate yesterday called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and enforcement against bandits and terrorists who openly showcase their criminal activities and financial proceeds on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. The Senate resolution followed a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West Senatorial District, on the rising wave of bandit attacks and terrorist incursions in the district and other parts of the country.
During deliberations, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, also introduced an additional prayer calling for coordinated action by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre and other relevant security agencies to track, monitor, and arrest individuals who use social media platforms to publicise criminal operations. Akpoti-Uduaghan expressed shock that armed groups were no longer operating covertly but were instead leveraging digital platforms to project influence, flaunt ill-acquired wealth, and, in some cases, carry out public giveaways believed to be funded through criminal activities. According to her, bandits and terrorists who carry out these activities live on their social media handles. Two days ago, bandits conducted a giveaway, distributing over N100 million within the space of 30 minutes through their social media handles, especially TikTok.
Wondering why such overt digital footprints had not resulted in arrests by relevant security agencies, particularly units mandated to track cyber-enabled crimes, she urged the police’s National Cybercrime Centre to track and arrest the individuals concerned. On his part, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who said the Department of State Services should track their movements and arrest them, described such conduct as a direct affront to state authority and a troubling display of impunity. He warned that the circulation of videos showing open display of cash and criminal activities on social media platforms amounted to a deliberate attempt to ridicule government institutions and undermine public confidence in the country’s security architecture. Consequently, Akpabio urged intelligence and security agencies to treat the matter as an urgent national security priority, calling for improved coordination and real-time response to online intelligence.
