Captain Mohammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, announced that a senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province surrendered to Nigerian troops in Borno State.
The operative handed himself over at about 6:45 a.m. on 25 July 2026. He approached soldiers of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route.
Meanwhile, preliminary investigations identified him as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave in Jubillaram. In that role he coordinated the group’s financial activities, managed logistics and facilitated the movement of resources that sustained terrorist operations.
During initial debriefing the suspect provided useful information on the group’s command structure, funding channels, logistics network and operational activities. Military authorities stated that the intelligence would support ongoing efforts to dismantle remaining ISWAP strongholds in the Lake Chad region.
Furthermore, a total of 46 terrorists and their family members surrendered at different locations within the theatre of operations in recent days. All those who laid down their arms underwent screening in line with established military procedures. Investigations and profiling continued.
Captain Mohammed Goni linked the surrenders to sustained land and air offensives against insurgent enclaves. He noted that coordinated ground operations, precision airstrikes and the disruption of supply routes had increased pressure on the group.
Security sources described the defection of a senior finance and logistics figure as a setback for ISWAP. Such operatives play a central role in funding, procurement, payment of fighters and movement of supplies.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to maintain the current momentum until remaining terrorist elements are neutralised or forced to surrender. The military urged other insurgents to take advantage of the Federal Government’s deradicalisation and reintegration programme.
