Operation HADIN KAI Identifies Wanted ISWAP Leaders in Lake Chad Basin

Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the North-East, identifying several senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following recent successful offensive operations around the Lake Chad Basin.

The breakthrough came after troops recovered critical intelligence materials, including a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP fighters to produce propaganda videos and document operational activities during military operations in northern Borno State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the recovered devices were subjected to forensic analysis, yielding actionable intelligence that led to the identification of key terrorist locations and senior commanders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.

According to the statement, those identified include Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the Wali (Governor) of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP); his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, also known as "The One-Handed Man"; and Hamad Abu Hanifa, identified as the Amirul-Fiya of the terrorist group, alongside other key operatives.

The military said Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa remains the most wanted ISWAP leader operating within the Lake Chad Basin and announced plans to offer a substantial financial reward for credible and actionable information leading to his arrest.

Operation HADIN KAI assured members of the public that all information provided would be treated with strict confidentiality, while the identities of informants would be fully protected in accordance with established security procedures.

The Joint Task Force urged residents to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations by providing timely and credible intelligence that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending the identified terrorist leaders.

It advised members of the public to report any useful information through established security reporting channels or by calling 0708 498 8859, while cautioning citizens against attempting to confront or arrest the suspects themselves.

The latest development is expected to strengthen ongoing military operations aimed at dismantling ISWAP's command structure and disrupting the group's activities across the Lake Chad Basin region.