By Odita Sunday
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have identified several senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following recent successful offensive operations in the Lake Chad region of northern Borno State.
The military said the breakthrough came after troops recovered technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials, including a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP fighters to produce propaganda videos and document operational activities.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, forensic analysis of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence that led to the identification of locations linked to terrorist activities and the identities of key ISWAP commanders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Among those identified are Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the Wali (Governor) of the Islamic State 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.
The military said Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa remains the most wanted terrorist leader operating within the Lake Chad Basin, adding that a substantial financial reward will be offered to anyone whose credible and actionable information leads directly to his arrest.
It assured that all information provided would be treated with the utmost confidentiality and that the identities of informants would be fully protected in line with established security procedures.
Operation HADIN KAI urged members of the public to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing timely and credible intelligence that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending the wanted terrorist leaders.
The military advised citizens to report any useful information through established security reporting channels or via 0708 498 8859, while warning the public against attempting to confront or arrest the suspects under any circumstances.
Captain Goni said the latest intelligence breakthrough underscores the military’s sustained efforts to dismantle ISWAP’s leadership structure and degrade its operational capabilities in the North-East.
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