By Emmanuel Nduka Obisue
A senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State, in what the Nigerian Army described as another major breakthrough in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.
The suspect, who reportedly managed the finances and logistics of the terrorist group’s enclave at Jubillaram, turned himself in to troops of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route. He surrendered alongside two male children.
Confirming the development, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the surrender highlights the sustained impact of the military’s kinetic and intelligence-driven operations against terrorist enclaves across the North-East.
He noted that the latest surrender comes amid a growing wave of defections, with about 46 terrorists and their family members voluntarily laying down their arms in recent days following sustained military pressure.
According to Goni, preliminary profiling identified the surrendered suspect as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for coordinating the group’s financial operations and logistics.
Items recovered from him include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and the sum of ₦40,000.
The Army spokesman disclosed that the suspect is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to extract actionable intelligence that would support ongoing military operations and aid efforts to dismantle the remaining terrorist networks operating within the theatre.
He said the surrender of such a high-ranking finance operative represents a significant blow to ISWAP’s operational structure, further weakening the group’s command, logistics and sustainment capabilities.
Goni added that the increasing number of recent surrenders reflects growing disillusionment within the ranks of the insurgents and signals an accelerating wave of defections from terrorist camps.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Operation HADIN KAI to restoring lasting peace, security and stability across the North-East, while urging remaining terrorists to embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by surrendering before it is too late.
The Army also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
