Troops identify wanted senior ISWAP leaders, declare Lake Chad terror chief most wanted

Nigerian military forces have identified several high-ranking leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) operating in the Lake Chad Basin. This breakthrough comes after troops from Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) conducted successful offensive operations in northern Borno State, recovering crucial intelligence materials.

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forensic analysis of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence that enabled the military to identify terrorist locations and key 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.

The sustained operations against ISWAP/ISIS terrorists in the Lake Chad region yielded technical devices and other valuable intelligence, including a camcorder allegedly used by the terrorists for propaganda videos and to document their activities. According to Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, forensic analysis of these recovered devices provided actionable intelligence.

This intelligence enabled the military to pinpoint terrorist locations and identify key 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. Among the identified leaders are Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, designated as the Wali (Governor) of 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 ISWAP, along with other senior operatives.

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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 ISWAP, alongside other senior operatives.

The military has specifically highlighted Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, describing him as the most wanted terrorist leader currently active within the Lake Chad Basin. Operation HADIN KAI announced a substantial financial reward for credible and actionable information leading directly to his arrest, assuring the public that all information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality and informants' identities will be protected.

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Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, describing him as the most wanted terrorist leader currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin.

Citizens are urged to support the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing timely and credible information through established security reporting channels or by calling 0708 498 8859. However, the public is cautioned against attempting to confront or apprehend the suspected terrorists, emphasizing that all information should be passed to security agencies.

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Operation HADIN KAI announced that it would offer a substantial financial reward to anyone whose credible and actionable information leads directly to his arrest.