By ZAKAA LAZARUS
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 ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria’s North-East.
The military disclosed that the latest surrender comes amid a growing wave of defections from terrorist ranks, with about 46 terrorists and their family members voluntarily laying down their arms in recent days following sustained land and air offensives against insurgent strongholds.
This was contained in a statement issued on *Saturday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.
According to the statement, the senior ISWAP operative surrendered to troops of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade* at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axison the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route.
The military said preliminary investigations identified the suspect as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for coordinating the group’s financial activities and logistics.
He reportedly surrendered alongside two male children.
Items recovered from the surrendered insurgent include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and ₦40,000 in cash.
The suspect is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to extract actionable intelligence aimed at supporting ongoing military operations and facilitating the targeting of remaining terrorist elements in the theatre.
Operation HADIN KAI described the surrender of the senior finance operative as a major setback for ISWAP, noting that it reflects the continued erosion of the group’s command structure, operational capability, and logistics network under sustained military pressure.
The command added that the increasing number of recent surrenders points to growing disillusionment among terrorists and an accelerating wave of defections from insurgent camps.
Reaffirming its commitment to restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-East, the Theatre Command urged remaining terrorists to embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by surrendering before it is too late.
The military also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
