A senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Musa Usman, has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, marking another significant development in the military’s ongoing efforts to weaken terrorist networks in the North-East.
Usman, who is alleged to have played a key role in managing the finances of the terrorist group, surrendered alongside his two sons amid a fresh wave of defections from ISWAP camps.The military said about 46 terrorists and their family members have recently abandoned insurgent activities and surrendered to security forces.
According to Mohammed Gomi, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, the surrender followed sustained land and air offensives carried out by troops to destroy terrorist hideouts and disrupt their operations across the region.
Gomi said the continued military pressure has forced several insurgents to abandon their camps and embrace the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives aimed at encouraging terrorists to surrender and reintegrate into society.
Military sources told counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama that intelligence gathered through human sources alerted troops of the 24 Task Force Brigade about the planned surrender of the high-profile ISWAP operative along the Ladari–Jegarawaji–Tunokalia corridor on the Gamboru–Wulgo main supply route.
Following the intelligence report, troops of 3 Battalion (Mechanised), working with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and Hybrid Forces, mobilised and intercepted the suspect at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25.
Preliminary investigations by the military revealed that Usman served as the chief finance officer of the ISWAP enclave in Jubillaram, where he was responsible for coordinating financial activities, logistics support and resource management for the terrorist group.
Security forces recovered several items from him, including one AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and ₦40,000 in cash.
The military stated that Musa Usman and his children are currently undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation to obtain intelligence that could support ongoing operations against remaining ISWAP fighters and their support networks within the theatre.
Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to restoring lasting peace and security in the North-East, urging other terrorists still operating in the region to surrender and take advantage of the government’s non-kinetic measures.
The military also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to strengthen counter-terrorism operations and enhance security across affected communities.
