A senior financial operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State alongside two male children, the Nigerian Army has announced.
The surrender, which took place on Saturday, marks another breakthrough in the military’s ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.
In a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the suspect surrendered to troops of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25 along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route in Borno State.
According to the statement, the latest surrender highlights the impact of sustained military offensives and intelligence-led operations against insurgents in the region.
The statement reads: “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, underscoring the sustained impact of ongoing kinetic and intelligence-driven operations across the North East.”
Goni disclosed that the surrender followed an increasing wave of defections, with about 46 terrorists and their family members reportedly laying down their arms in recent days.
He attributed the development to the series of coordinated land and air operations carried out by Operation Hadin Kai against terrorist strongholds.
“The terrorist surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on 25 July 2026 along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route,” he said.
While giving details of the suspect’s role within the terrorist group, Goni stated, “Preliminary profiling indicates that the terrorist served as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the group’s financial activities and logistics. He surrendered alongside two male children.”
The Army said troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and ₦40,000 from the surrendered operative.
Goni added: “The individual is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to exploit actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and facilitate the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the Theatre.”
He described the surrender as a major blow to ISWAP, saying it reflects the weakening of the group’s leadership structure, operational capacity and logistics network due to sustained military pressure.
“Coupled with the increasing number of recent surrenders, this development confirms deepening disillusionment within terrorist ranks and points to an accelerating wave of defections from terrorist camps,” he emphasised.
Reiterating the military’s commitment to ending insurgency in the North-East, Goni said Operation Hadin Kai would continue its efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the region.
“The Theatre Command therefore calls on all remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms before it is too late,” he added.
He also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information to strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
