The Nigerian Army has recorded another breakthrough in its ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East, with the wife and 11-year-old son of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative surrendering to troops in Borno State days after the commander himself reportedly laid down his arms.
The Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai announced on Saturday that the woman and her son surrendered on July 29, 2026, through Kusuma Village after receiving instructions from her husband, who had surrendered on July 25 following his escape from an ISWAP enclave.
Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, said the development formed part of a series of intelligence-driven operations targeting terrorist logistics, financiers and collaborators across the North-East.
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According to the military, preliminary investigations showed that the surrendered commander had served as ISWAP’s chief finance operative in the Jubillaram axis before abandoning the terrorist group.
The army said both the woman and her son had undergone initial screening and are currently being profiled in line with established deradicalisation and security procedures.
The latest surrender comes amid sustained military operations that have increasingly combined kinetic offensives with intelligence gathering, community engagement and efforts to encourage defections from terrorist ranks.
In another operation conducted on July 27, troops of the 5 Brigade arrested six suspected ISWAP collaborators in Damasak, Borno State.
Military authorities alleged that preliminary investigations linked the suspects to a financial network supporting ISWAP through the purchase and sale of cattle in markets located in Gubio, Damasak and Ajuwango.
Items recovered during the operation included a Volkswagen Golf car, vehicle keys, four mobile phones, cow meat and ₦317,950 believed to be connected to the suspects’ activities.
The suspects remain in military custody while investigations continue.
The Theatre Command also disclosed that troops of the 145 Battalion carried out a clearance operation in Turoh following credible intelligence on terrorist movements.
According to the statement, suspected terrorists fled the area upon sighting advancing troops, abandoning two motorcycles and large quantities of illicit hard drugs, which were recovered during exploitation of the location.
The Nigerian military has consistently identified financial networks, logistics suppliers and civilian collaborators as critical enablers sustaining terrorist operations across parts of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.
Security experts say disrupting these support structures remains vital to weakening insurgent groups alongside sustained military offensives and improved intelligence gathering.
Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling terrorist financing and logistics while encouraging willing insurgents and their family members to surrender.
The military also appealed to residents across the North-East to continue providing credible and timely information to support ongoing operations aimed at restoring lasting peace, security and stability in the region.
