The Nigerian Army has said about 46 terrorists and their family members have surrendered to troops in the North-East, with the latest defection involving a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative.
The Army said the suspect surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion under 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 following sustained land and air offensives by Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the military, preliminary profiling identified the suspect as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he managed the group’s finances and logistics. He 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.
The Army said the suspect is undergoing profiling and interrogation to provide intelligence that will support ongoing operations against remaining terrorist elements.
It described the surrender as a major blow to ISWAP, saying it reflects the gradual weakening of the group’s command structure, operational capability and logistics network under sustained military pressure.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to restoring lasting peace and stability in the North-East, urging remaining terrorists to embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms.
The military also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
