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Nigerian Military Unmasks Dozens Of ISWAP Commanders, Offers N60Million Reward For Two Most Wanted
Nigerian Military Unmasks Dozens Of ISWAP Commanders, Offers N60Million Reward For Two Most Wanted
INSECURITY
The Nigerian Record
8/6/20263 min read
The Nigerian military has identified several senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following what it described as a major intelligence breakthrough during ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State, placing a combined ₦60 million bounty on two of the group's most wanted leaders.
The development came after troops of the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, recorded a series of successful offensives against ISWAP terrorists operating in northern Borno, leading to the recovery of critical intelligence materials that exposed the identities, operational locations and command structure of several high-ranking insurgent leaders.
Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said troops recovered several technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials, including a camcorder allegedly used by the terrorists to produce propaganda videos and document their operations.
According to him, forensic exploitation of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence that enabled security forces to identify terrorist hideouts and 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.
The military subsequently released photographs of dozens of identified ISWAP leaders and field commanders in a public appeal for information capable of leading to their arrest.
A large intelligence poster obtained by SaharaReporters bears the inscription: "Most Wanted ISWAP Leaders – We Know Them. You Can Stop Them. These are known ISWAP terrorists and commanders operating in our communities. Your information can save lives and help restore peace."
The poster contains photographs and aliases of at least 38 suspected ISWAP commanders and fighters believed to be active across northern Borno and the Lake Chad region.
At the centre of the poster is a high-value target identified as Abu Musa Al-Barnawi Baashuwa, described as "High Value Target – Extremely Dangerous." Surrounding him are photographs of other suspected commanders identified by aliases including Baana, Ibrahim, Baa Idrissa, Abu Ishaq, Yaa Bashir, Ibn Mohammed, Jidda, Cobara, Kuram, Sale, Hamad, Marsad, Sukurt, Abakar, Bare'u, Hassan, Abor, Tsani Abite, Modipo, Chake Kura, Suleiman, and several others.
The military urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence on the whereabouts of the suspects, stressing that silence only emboldens terrorism.
The poster states: "Silence helps them. Information defeats them. You see them. You know them. Report them. Together, we can end terror."
Separate wanted notices released by the military announced cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of two senior ISWAP commanders.
One of the notices identified Muhammad Jidda, described as an ISWAP Commander of the Jaish Unit, with a reward of ₦10 million for information leading to his capture.
Another notice announced a ₦50 million reward for information resulting in the arrest of Ibn Muhammad, identified as an ISWAP Commander of the Amniyya Unit, one of the terrorist group's intelligence and internal security formations.
The notices urged members of the public to contact security authorities through a dedicated telephone and WhatsApp line, assuring potential informants that their identities would be protected.
One of the campaign materials reads: "Thank you for telling us about your movement before the attack." Another states: "Information is power. Your information can break their network. Be a hero. Help bring peace to your community."
Captain Goni said the identification of the commanders was made possible through detailed forensic examination of digital devices seized during recent operations.
According to him, intelligence extracted from the equipment has already assisted troops in locating terrorist camps, mapping movement corridors and identifying key figures responsible for coordinating attacks within the Lake Chad Basin.
He said the intelligence breakthrough forms part of ongoing efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to dismantle ISWAP's leadership structure and deny the group freedom of movement across northeastern Nigeria.
The military called on residents of Borno and neighbouring states to remain vigilant and support ongoing operations by providing credible and timely intelligence capable of leading to the arrest of the identified terrorists.
Authorities added that investigations and follow-up operations are continuing as troops intensify offensives against ISWAP strongholds in the Lake Chad region, while efforts are underway to apprehend the identified commanders and dismantle the remaining terrorist cells operating in the area.