A senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State, the Nigerian Army has announced. The suspect laid down his arms on Friday, 25 July 2026, along the Ladari, Jegarawa and Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru to Wulgo Main Supply Route during ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East.
Surrender Details
According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the latest surrender followed a series of coordinated land and air offensives carried out against terrorist hideouts across the region. Preliminary profiling identified the suspect as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave in Jubillaram, where he allegedly managed the group's financial operations and logistics. He surrendered alongside two male children.
Military authorities described the development as another indication of increasing pressure on terrorist groups operating in the North East. The statement also revealed that about 46 suspected terrorists and their family members have voluntarily surrendered to troops in recent days, reflecting the impact of sustained military operations on the groups' command structures and operational networks.
Weapons and Items Recovered
The Army reported that troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and ₦40,000 from the surrendered suspect. The individual is undergoing profiling and interrogation to obtain intelligence that could support ongoing military operations and assist in locating other terrorist elements. The military stated that information gathered during this process would be used to strengthen operations across the theatre.
The surrender of the alleged senior finance operative represents a major setback for ISWAP, according to the Army, as it undermines the group's financial capabilities and logistics network. The growing number of recent surrenders suggests increasing pressure on terrorist camps and rising defections among their members.
Military's Call for More Surrenders
Operation HADIN KAI reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and security across the North East. The military called on remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government's non-military initiatives by surrendering their weapons, while urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
Earlier, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum had urged the military high command to launch a fully coordinated offensive across the Lake Chad region to dismantle Boko Haram and ISWAP hideouts. Delivering the message while hosting the new Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, Zulum said current security gains will not hold unless the armed forces confront entrenched cells around the Lake Chad islands.
