The Nigerian military has identified several senior leaders and key operatives of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following recent counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin area of Borno State.
The development was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni.
According to the military, the breakthrough followed intelligence gathered during recent offensive operations against ISWAP fighters in northern Borno, where troops recovered technical devices and other intelligence materials from the insurgents.
The military said forensic analysis of the recovered items, including a camcorder allegedly used to record propaganda videos and operational activities, led to the identification of several ISWAP leaders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Among those identified were Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the Wali (Governor) of ISWAP, his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man,” and Hamad Abu Hanifa, identified as the group’s Amirul-Fiya, alongside other senior operatives.
Operation Hadin Kai described Baa Shuwa as the most wanted ISWAP leader currently operating in the Lake Chad Basin.
The military also announced that it would offer a substantial financial reward to anyone who provides credible and actionable intelligence leading to his arrest.
According to the statement, all information received will be handled confidentially, while the identities of informants will be protected in line with established security procedures.
The military urged members of the public to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by reporting useful information that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending the identified suspects.
Citizens were also advised not to confront or attempt to arrest any of the suspects, but to report relevant information through official security channels or via 0708 498 8859.
The latest development comes as Operation Hadin Kai continues sustained operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring security across Nigeria’s North East.
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