THE Nigerian Army has recorded another major operational breakthrough in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East, following the surrender of a senior financial operative of the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) alongside two male children to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Army announced the development in a late-night statement on Saturday, describing it as another significant success in the fight against terrorism and a reflection of the sustained impact of ongoing kinetic and intelligence-driven operations across the North-East.
The Acting Military Information Officer, North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed in the statement that the terrorist surrendered at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25, 2026, to troops of 3 Battalion under 24 Task Force Brigade along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route in Borno State.
According to Goni, the latest development represents another major operational breakthrough for Operation Hadin Kai and underscores the sustained pressure being mounted on insurgent groups across the theatre of operations.
“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 Army spokesman noted that the surrender comes amid a growing wave of defections from terrorist camps, revealing that approximately 46 terrorists and their family members have voluntarily surrendered to troops in recent days.
He explained that the latest surrender followed a series of coordinated and decisive land and air offensives conducted by Operation Hadin Kai against terrorist enclaves across the North-East.
“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 Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route,” Goni said.
Preliminary profiling, according to the Army, revealed that the surrendered suspect served as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram, where he was responsible for overseeing the terrorist group’s financial operations and logistics.
“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 group’s financial activities and logistics. He surrendered alongside two male children,” Goni stated.
The Army also disclosed that troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and ₦40,000 from the surrendered terrorist.
According to the statement, the suspect is currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to enable security agencies exploit actionable intelligence capable of supporting ongoing military operations and facilitating the targeting of remaining terrorist elements across the theatre.
“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,” Goni stressed.
The Army spokesman further described the surrender of such a high-ranking finance operative as another significant setback for ISWAP, saying it reflects the gradual erosion of the terrorist group’s command structure, operational capability and sustainment network under the relentless pressure of Operation Hadin Kai.
He added that the increasing number of recent surrenders further confirms growing disillusionment within terrorist ranks and points to an accelerating wave of defections from insurgent camps.
“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,” he emphasised.
Goni reaffirmed that Operation Hadin Kai remains fully committed to restoring lasting peace, security and stability across the North-East.
He therefore called on all remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by surrendering their arms before it becomes too late.
“The Theatre Command therefore calls on all remaining terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by laying down their arms before it is too late,” he added.
The Army also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence capable of strengthening ongoing counter-terrorism operations and sustaining the gains already recorded in the fight against insurgency.