Maiduguri – Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded a major breakthrough following the surrender of a senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), as a fresh wave of terrorist defections continues across the North-East theatre.
The development comes amid sustained kinetic and intelligence-led operations by the military, which have intensified pressure on terrorist enclaves. In recent days, about 46 terrorists and their family members have voluntarily surrendered to troops, signaling growing cracks within insurgent ranks.
Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed these developments in a statement issued in Maiduguri on July 25, 2026.
The latest surrender occurred at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, when the operative turned himself in to troops of 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route. His decision followed a series of coordinated land and air offensives targeting ISWAP strongholds.
According to preliminary profiling, the suspect served as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave in Jubillaram, where he managed the group’s financial operations and logistics network. He surrendered alongside two male children.
Recovered items from the individual include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, a motorcycle, and the sum of ₦40,000. Military sources confirmed that he is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to extract actionable intelligence for ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
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Security analysts note that the surrender of a high-ranking finance operative represents a significant blow to ISWAP’s operational sustainability, as financial coordination remains critical to the group’s logistics and combat capabilities. The increasing number of defections is also seen as evidence of waning morale and deepening disillusionment within terrorist camps.
Operation HADIN KAI reiterated its commitment to restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-East, urging remaining insurgents to embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by surrendering. The military also called on the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support security operations.
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