Top ISWAP finance officer and his sons turn themselves in to the army in Borno

A top finance officer of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and his two sons have surrendered to troops from the Joint Task Force North East, known as Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK).

This surrender happened on Saturday along the Ladari, Jegarawa, Tunokalia route on the Gamboru, Wulgo main supply route in Borno State.

The insurgent handed over his weapons to soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, which is part of the 24th Task Force Brigade.

According to a statement on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer for Headquarters OPHK, Mohammed Goni, initial checks identified the surrendered insurgent as the Chief Finance Operative of the ISWAP group in Jubillaram. He was in charge of the group's logistics and financial management.

During the operation, troops found an AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammo, a motorcycle, and ₦40,000 in cash.

Captain Goni said this surrender is due to ongoing land and air attacks targeting terrorist hideouts in the region.

He added that this handover of a key logistics officer is a serious blow to ISWAP’s ability to operate, its command structure, and supply lines.

"The surrender of such a key finance operative represents another significant setback for ISWAP," Goni said. "Along with the growing number of recent surrenders, this shows more discontent within terrorist groups and hints at a rising wave of defections."

Military sources say about 46 terrorists and their family members have willingly surrendered to troops recently due to increased military pressure.

The suspect and his sons are now being closely examined and questioned to gather useful information for ongoing military operations, the statement said.

The Theatre Command has called on other insurgents to surrender and take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-violent programs. They also urged the public to keep sharing timely information with security agencies, the army stated.