A senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in what the military described as another major breakthrough in its ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the North East.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the surrender came 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 as sustained military offensives continue to weaken insurgent strongholds.
The statement disclosed that the senior ISWAP operative surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on Saturday, 25 July 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route.
It noted that preliminary profiling 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.
Items recovered from him included one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and the sum of ₦40,000.
The military said the suspect is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to extract actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and aid the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the theatre.
The statement described the surrender of such a high-ranking finance operative as a significant blow to ISWAP, saying it reflects the continued erosion of the group’s command structure, operational capability and logistics network under sustained land and air offensives by Operation HADIN KAI.
It added that the increasing number of recent surrenders indicates growing disillusionment within terrorist ranks and an accelerating wave of defections from insurgent camps.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment 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 military also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
