Defense and Security
How ISWAP Senior Finance Chief, Two Children Surrendered to Troops in Borno
A senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, marking another significant breakthrough in the military’s ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.
The Nigerian Army disclosed the development in a statement issued late Saturday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni.
According to the statement, “the insurgent surrendered at about 6:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026, to troops of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route in Borno State.”
Captain Goni said preliminary investigations identified the suspect as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he managed the group’s financial operations and logistics. He reportedly surrendered alongside two male children.
The Army recovered one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and ₦40,000 from the surrendered insurgent.
The military attributed the surrender to the sustained land and air offensives being carried out by Operation Hadin Kai, noting that the pressure from ongoing kinetic and intelligence-led operations has continued to weaken terrorist strongholds across the region.
According to the Army, about 46 terrorists and their family members have voluntarily surrendered to troops in recent days, reflecting what it described as growing disillusionment within the ranks of insurgent groups.
Captain Goni said the surrendered operative is undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to provide intelligence that could aid ongoing military operations and facilitate the tracking of other terrorist elements.
He described the surrender of such a high-ranking finance official as a major setback for ISWAP, saying it further demonstrates the gradual collapse of the group’s command structure, operational capability, and logistics network
The Army reiterated that Operation Hadin Kai remains committed to restoring lasting peace, security, and stability across the North-East. It also urged remaining insurgents to embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms.
The military further appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations.