A top financial officer of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has surrendered to Nigerian troops alongside two children in Borno State, with military authorities recovering weapons, ammunition and other items from him.
The surrender occurred around 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis of the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route, according to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East, Mohammed Goni.
Goni said troops of the 3 Battalion under the 24 Task Force Brigade recorded the breakthrough as part of ongoing military operations involving intelligence gathering and offensive actions against terrorist groups in the region.
“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI 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 said.
The military spokesperson explained that the development was part of a recent increase in terrorist defections, noting that about 46 terrorists and their family members had surrendered to troops within the past few days.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect served as the chief financial officer of the ISWAP faction operating in Jubillaram, where he was allegedly responsible for coordinating the group’s financial operations and logistics.
According to the army, the ISWAP operative surrendered with two male children following a series of coordinated ground and air attacks carried out by Operation Hadin Kai against terrorist hideouts.
Items recovered from him included an AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a motorcycle and ₦40,000 in cash.
Goni added that the suspect was undergoing further profiling and investigation, while urging other members of terrorist groups to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic measures and surrender their weapons before it is too late.