Military names wanted ISWAP leaders, announces ₦50m bounty on top terror suspect

Crime Diary

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (NPA) — Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have identified several senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operating around the Lake Chad Basin following recent offensive operations against the terrorist group in northern Borno State.

The development followed what the military described as a major intelligence breakthrough resulting from the exploitation of materials recovered during operations in the Lake Chad region.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, troops recovered several technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials during the operations.

Among the items recovered was a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP members to record propaganda videos and document their operational activities.

The military said forensic analysis of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence that led to the identification of terrorist hideouts and the identities of several senior 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.

According to the statement, those identified include Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the Wali (Governor) of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Others are 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 it is specifically drawing public attention to Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, whom it described as the most wanted ISWAP leader currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin.

The military announced that it would offer a substantial financial reward to any individual whose credible and actionable information leads directly to the arrest of the wanted terrorist leader.

It assured members of the public that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality and that the identities of informants would be fully protected in accordance with established security procedures.

Operation HADIN KAI appealed to residents, particularly those in communities around the Lake Chad region, to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations by providing timely and credible intelligence capable of assisting security agencies in locating and apprehending the identified terrorist leaders.

The military urged members of the public to report any useful information through established security reporting channels or by calling 0708 498 8859.

It, however, cautioned citizens against attempting to confront or arrest any of the suspected terrorists, stressing that such individuals should only be handled by trained security personnel.

The military reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups in the North-East until lasting peace and security are restored across the region.