Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded a major success in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in Nigeria’s North-East, following the surrender of two high-profile commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The 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 procedures.
According to the Acting Media Information Officer of Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Haruna M. Sani, preliminary investigations revealed that the two men occupied strategic positions within the terrorist group’s hierarchy and operated in the Mangari axis of the Lake Chad region.
Sani disclosed that Ismail Mohammed was a close associate of senior ISWAP leader Baa Shuwa and possessed extensive knowledge of the group’s command structure and operations. Abu Umar, on the other hand, was described as an explosives specialist responsible for the fabrication and maintenance of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs) and other combat-support equipment used by the insurgents.
The military spokesperson further revealed that intelligence gathered during interrogation indicated that another prominent terrorist figure, Mohammed Khalifa, a member of the ISWAP Shurah Council, was neutralised during recent joint operations conducted by Operation Hadin Kai.
He noted that the surrender of the two commanders represents a significant setback for the terrorist organisation due to their experience, influence and technical expertise acquired over years of involvement in the insurgency.
According to Sani, the development highlights the effectiveness of sustained offensive operations by Operation Hadin Kai, supported by precision strikes and coordinated engagements with allied partners against terrorist enclaves across the theatre of operations.
“The combined pressure from these operations continues to degrade terrorist capabilities, weaken operational networks and compel increasing numbers of insurgents to surrender,” he stated.
The military added that the latest surrender reflects growing desperation and declining morale within terrorist ranks as continuous military pressure denies them freedom of movement and access to safe havens.
Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist leadership structures, disrupting insurgent networks and restoring lasting peace and stability to affected communities across the North-East.
