Operation HADIN KAI has identified several senior leaders of the so-called Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following intelligence recovered from recent military operations in northern Borno State, with the military declaring one of the group’s top commanders the most wanted terrorist in the Lake Chad Basin.
The disclosure came in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.
According to the military, troops made the breakthrough during recent offensive operations against ISWAP fighters in the Lake Chad region, where they recovered electronic devices and other intelligence materials abandoned by the terrorists.
Among the items recovered was a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP members to record propaganda videos and document their operations.
The military said forensic analysis of the recovered devices yielded actionable intelligence, enabling security forces to identify locations linked to terrorist activities and several senior ISWAP commanders operating along the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis on the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Those identified include 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.
Operation HADIN KAI said Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa remains its highest-priority target in the Lake Chad Basin and appealed to members of the public for information that could lead to his arrest.
“Operation HADIN KAI wishes to specifically draw the attention of the public to Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, the ISWAP Wali, who remains the most wanted terrorist leader operating within the Lake Chad Basin,” the statement said.
“The military will offer a substantial financial reward to any individual whose credible and actionable information directly leads to his arrest. All information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and the identity of informants will be fully protected in accordance with established security procedures.”
The military urged residents to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations by providing timely and credible intelligence through established security reporting channels or by calling 0708 498 8859.
It, however, warned citizens against attempting to apprehend any of the suspects.
“Citizens are strongly advised not to confront or attempt to apprehend the suspected terrorists under any circumstances,” the statement added.
Operation HADIN KAI, the military’s joint counter-insurgency task force in the North East, has intensified operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in recent months as security forces seek to dismantle insurgent networks around the Lake Chad Basin.
