The Nigerian military has recorded another major breakthrough in the fight against insurgency after a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative surrendered alongside his two male children to troops in Borno State.
The surrender was announced by the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), which described the development as a significant blow to the terrorist group’s operations and financial network.
According to a statement by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the surrender took place at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route in Borno State.
Although the military did not disclose the suspect’s identity, preliminary investigations revealed that he served as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave in Jubillaram, where he reportedly managed the group’s finances and logistics.
“His decision to lay down his arms follows the recent series of coordinated and decisive land and air offensives conducted by Operation HADIN KAI against terrorist enclaves,” the statement said.
The military disclosed that the suspect surrendered with one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and ₦40,000 in cash.
He is currently undergoing profiling and interrogation to help security agencies gather intelligence that could aid ongoing counter-terrorism operations and identify other terrorist cells.
Operation HADIN KAI also revealed that the latest surrender comes amid a growing wave of defections, with about 46 terrorists and their family members voluntarily surrendering to troops in recent days.
“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,” the military stated.
The command said the increasing number of surrenders indicates growing pressure on terrorist camps and rising disillusionment among insurgents.
Reaffirming its commitment to ending terrorism in the North-East, Operation HADIN KAI urged remaining terrorists to embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms.
The military also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing operations against insurgents..
