JUST IN: Two senior ISWAP commanders surrender in North-East

Crime Diary

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have recorded a breakthrough in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the North-East following the surrender of two high-profile commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The Nigerian Army, in a statement signed by Haruna M Sani, Lieutenant Colonel, Acting Media Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN, disclosed on Thursday that the insurgent commanders, identified as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar, surrendered to troops on June 8, 2026, and are currently in military custody, undergoing profiling and debriefing.

According to military authorities, the two men occupied strategic positions within the terrorist group’s command structure and operated within the Mangari axis of the Lake Chad region.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Ismail Mohammed was a close associate of notorious ISWAP leader Baa Shuwa and possessed extensive knowledge of the group’s operational hierarchy, command structure, and activities across the region.

The second commander, Abu Umar, was reportedly a key explosives expert within the terrorist network, responsible for the fabrication and maintenance of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and other combat-support equipment used by insurgents in attacks against military formations and civilian targets.

Military authorities described the surrender as a significant setback for the terrorist organisation, given the strategic roles, experience, influence, and technical expertise of the two commanders.

Further interrogation of the surrendered insurgents also revealed that another high-profile terrorist figure, Mohammed Khalifa, a member of the ISWAP Shurah Council, was killed during recent joint military operations conducted by Operation HADIN KAI.

The Army said the development highlights the growing impact of sustained military offensives and precision operations targeting terrorist enclaves across the North-East.

According to the military, the combined pressure exerted by troops and allied partners has continued to degrade the operational capabilities of insurgent groups, weaken their command structures, and force an increasing number of fighters to abandon the battlefield.

Military officials noted that the surrender of the two commanders reflects rising desperation and declining morale within terrorist ranks as security forces continue to deny them freedom of movement, operational bases, and safe havens.

The Army said ongoing operations are focused on dismantling terrorist leadership structures, disrupting logistics networks, and restoring lasting peace to communities affected by insurgency.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements across the theatre of operations.

The military pledged to continue exploiting intelligence and operational opportunities to eliminate insurgent threats and strengthen security across the North-East region.