The Nigerian military has identified several senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operating around the Lake Chad Basin following a major intelligence breakthrough from recent counter-terrorism operations in Borno State.
According to the Acting Military Information Officer, Joint Task Force North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, the troops recovered technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials, including a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP operatives to record propaganda videos and document operational activities.
The Theatre Command further disclosed that forensic analysis of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence that identified locations linked to terrorist activities as well as key members of the terrorist leadership operating within the Mangari-Metele-Dogon Chukun axis in the Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Operation HADIN KAI identified those profiled through the forensic process as Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the Wali (Governor) of ISIS West Africa Province; his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man”; and Hamad Abu Hanifa, identified as the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP, alongside other senior operatives within the terrorist network.
The Theatre Command specifically highlighted Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa as the most wanted ISWAP leader currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin and announced that a substantial financial reward would be offered for credible and actionable information leading directly to his arrest.
It assured members of the public that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality while the identities of informants would remain protected under established security procedures.
Operation HADIN KAI appealed to citizens to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations by providing timely and credible intelligence capable of assisting security agencies in locating and apprehending the identified terrorist leaders.
The command urged members of the public not to confront or attempt to arrest the suspects themselves but instead report relevant information through established security reporting channels or via 0708 498 8859.
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