A senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) member, responsible for finance and logistics at the Jubillaram enclave, has surrendered to Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) troops in the North-East.
The suspect surrendered with two children to the 3 Battalion along the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route on July 25, marking a significant setback for the group, according to OPHK acting Media Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni.
Although Goni did not disclose the identity of the surrendered terrorist, he said preliminary profiling indicated that the suspect served as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the group’s finances and logistics. He surrendered alongside two male children.
Items recovered from the suspect included one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and ₦40,000.
According to Goni, the suspect is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to obtain actionable intelligence that will support ongoing military operations and aid efforts to target remaining terrorist elements across the theatre.
He said the surrender of a key finance operative underscored the sustained impact of the military’s kinetic and intelligence-driven operations against terrorist groups in the North East.
According to him, the latest development comes amid a growing wave of defections, with about 46 terrorists and their family members voluntarily surrendering to troops in recent days, further highlighting the increasing pressure on terrorist strongholds.
“The surrender of such a key finance operative represents another significant setback for ISWAP, reflecting the growing erosion of the group’s command structure, operational capability and sustainment network under the relentless pressure of Operation HADIN KAI.
“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,” Goni said.
He reaffirmed that Operation HADIN KAI remains committed to restoring lasting peace, security and stability across the North East.
Goni also called on remaining terrorists to embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms, while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to enhance ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
