Senior ISWAP finance operative surrenders to troops with his two sons in Borno

A senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Musa Usman, has surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Borno State. Acting Military Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force(North East) Operates HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, July 25, 2026 said the development marks another significant blow to the terrorist groups financial and logistics network. According to the statement, troops of 24 Task Force Brigade to the planned surrender of the high-profile ISWAP member along the LadariJegarawajiTunokalia corridor on the GamboruWulgo Main Supply Route. Acting on the intelligence, troops of 3 Battalion (Mechanised), in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and Hybrid Forces, mobilised and intercepted the terrorist at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25. The surrendered insurgent arrived with his two sons, Abubakar Musa, 10, and Awwali Musa, 15. Preliminary interrogation revealed that Musa Usman served as the Chief Finance Officer of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for overseeing the groups financial operations, logistics and resource management. Items recovered from him include one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and N40,000 in cash. "Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative, underscoring the sustained impact of ongoing kinetic and intelligence-driven operations across the North East, the statement read. "The development comes amid a growing wave of terrorist surrenders, with approximately 46 terrorists and their family members voluntarily surrendering to troops in recent days, further highlighting the mounting pressure on terrorist strongholds. "The terrorist surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade at about 6:45 a.m. on 25 July 2026 along the LadariJegarawaTunokalia axis on the GamboruWulgo Main Supply Route. "His decision to lay down his arms follows the recent series of coordinated and decisive land and air offensives conducted by Operation HADIN KAI against terrorist enclaves. "Preliminary profiling indicates that the terrorist served as the Chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for managing the groups financial activities and logistics. He surrendered alongside two male children. "Items recovered from the terrorist include one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, one motorcycle, and the sum of N40,000. "The individual is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to exploit actionable intelligence that will support ongoing operations and facilitate the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the Theatre. "The surrender of such a key finance operative represents another significant setback for ISWAP, reflecting the growing erosion of the groups command structure, operational capability, and sustainment network under the relentless pressure of Operation HADIN KAI. "Coupled with the increasing number of recent surrenders, this development confirms deepening disillusionment within terrorist ranks and points to an accelerating wave of defections from terrorist camps. "Operation HADIN KAI remains steadfast in its mission to restore enduring peace, security, and stability across the North East. "The Theatre Command therefore calls on all remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Governments non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms before it is too late. The Command also urges members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will enhance ongoing counter-terrorism operations."