Operation HADIN KAI has announced a major intelligence breakthrough following sustained offensive operations against fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the Lake Chad region of northern Borno State, leading to the identification of several of the group’s most senior commanders.
The military disclosed that the breakthrough followed recent successful combat operations during which troops recovered sophisticated technical equipment and other high-value intelligence materials abandoned by fleeing terrorists in their hideouts across the operational theatre.
Among the recovered items was a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP operatives to record propaganda videos, document operational activities and preserve internal communications. Military intelligence experts subsequently carried out forensic exploitation of the devices, producing actionable intelligence that has significantly enhanced ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
According to Operation HADIN KAI, the intelligence analysis enabled security forces to identify several terrorist enclaves as well as senior ISWAP leaders operating within the Mangari, Metele and Dogon Chukun axis along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
The military identified the key terrorist figures as Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, believed to be the Wali, or Governor, of the Islamic State West Africa Province; his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, popularly known as “The One-Handed Man”; and Hamad Abu Hanifa, identified as the Amirul-Fiya of the terrorist organisation, alongside other principal operatives.
Operation HADIN KAI described Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa as the most wanted ISWAP leader currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin, noting that efforts have been intensified to track and dismantle the leadership structure of the terrorist network.
The Joint Task Force also announced that a substantial financial reward would be offered to any individual whose credible and actionable information directly leads to the arrest of Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa. It assured that all information received would be handled with strict confidentiality while the identities of informants would remain fully protected under established security protocols.
The military appealed to residents of communities across the North East and other members of the public to continue supporting ongoing counter-terrorism operations by providing credible and timely intelligence capable of assisting security agencies in locating and apprehending the wanted terrorist leaders.
Operation HADIN KAI urged citizens to report any useful information through established security reporting channels or by calling 0708 498 8859, stressing that members of the public should not attempt to confront, pursue or arrest any suspected terrorist under any circumstances because of the grave security risks involved.
The statement, signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, in Maiduguri on Wednesday, said the latest intelligence success underscores the military’s growing capacity to combine battlefield operations with advanced forensic exploitation to degrade terrorist leadership and strengthen ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace across the North East.