By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
A senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State, as military authorities reported a growing wave of terrorist defections across the North-East.
The surrender, which military sources described as a major operational breakthrough, comes amid intensified land and air offensives against terrorist enclaves and follows the recent voluntary surrender of about 46 terrorists and their family members to troops operating in the theatre.
Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, 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 July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route.
According to Goni, preliminary profiling revealed that the terrorist served as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the group’s finances and logistics operations. He reportedly surrendered alongside two male children.
Items recovered from the suspect included one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a motorcycle, and ₦40,000 in cash.
Military authorities said the surrendered operative is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to enable security agencies exploit intelligence that could assist ongoing operations and the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the North-East.
The military noted that the surrender of such a high-ranking finance operative represents a significant blow to ISWAP’s command structure and sustainment network, adding that the development reflects increasing pressure on terrorist groups from sustained kinetic and intelligence-led operations.
Security officials further observed that the rising number of surrenders points to growing disillusionment within terrorist ranks and an apparent weakening of the insurgents’ operational capability.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-East, urging remaining terrorists to embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives and surrender. The military also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
