The Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has announced a major intelligence breakthrough following recent offensive operations against ISWAP/ISIS terrorists in the Lake Chad region of northern Borno State, leading to the identification of several senior terrorist commanders operating within the area.
In a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, the military said troops recovered sophisticated technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials during the operations, including a camcorder used by ISWAP fighters to produce propaganda videos and document operational activities.
According to the statement, forensic analysis of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence that enabled security forces to identify terrorist hideouts and the identities of key ISWAP leaders operating along the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis on the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Among those identified is Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the Wali (Governor) of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Others include his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, popularly known as “The One-Handed Man,” as well as Hamad Abu Hanifa, identified as the Amirul-Fiya of the terrorist group.
Operation HADIN KAI described Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa as the most wanted ISWAP commander currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin and announced that a substantial financial reward would be offered to anyone whose credible and actionable information leads directly to his arrest.
The military assured members of the public that all information provided would be treated with the strictest confidentiality, while the identities of informants would be fully protected in accordance with established security procedures.
The Joint Task Force appealed to residents to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations by volunteering credible and timely intelligence that could assist security agencies in tracking and apprehending the identified terrorist leaders and their associates.
Members of the public were urged to report relevant information through established security reporting channels or by calling 0708 498 8859.
The military, however, cautioned citizens against attempting to confront or arrest any of the suspected terrorists, stressing that such individuals are dangerous and should only be handled by trained security personnel.
Operation HADIN KAI reiterated its commitment to sustaining intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring lasting peace and security across the North-East.
