Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have recorded another operational breakthrough following the surrender of a senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), as the military says an increasing number of terrorists are abandoning the insurgent group amid sustained offensives across Nigeria’s North-East.
The Nigerian Army disclosed that the suspect surrendered to troops of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route.
According to the military, the surrender follows a series of coordinated land and air operations targeting terrorist enclaves in the region, which have intensified pressure on insurgent strongholds.
Military authorities said preliminary profiling identified the suspect as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the group’s finances and logistics. He reportedly surrendered alongside two male children.
Items recovered from him include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and ₦40,000 in cash.
The Army said the suspect is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to obtain intelligence that could aid ongoing military operations and facilitate the targeting of remaining terrorist cells.
The development comes as the military revealed that about 46 terrorists and their family members have voluntarily surrendered to troops in recent days, describing the trend as evidence of increasing pressure on terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
The Army noted that the surrender of a key finance operative represents a significant setback for ISWAP, as it weakens the group’s command structure, operational capability and logistics network.
It added that the growing number of defections reflects mounting disillusionment within terrorist ranks and signals an accelerating collapse of support for the insurgent group.
Operation HADIN KAI reiterated its commitment to restoring peace, security and stability across the North-East and urged remaining terrorists to embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by surrendering.
The military also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
The statement was signed by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Maiduguri.
