ISWAP’s funding secrets at risk as finance chief surrenders to troops

ISWAP’s funding and logistics network in Borno could face serious disruption following the surrender of a senior finance operative who allegedly managed the terrorist group’s money and supplies.

The Nigerian Army said the operative, now undergoing interrogation for actionable intelligence, surrendered to troops on July 25 alongside two male children and could provide information useful in targeting other members of the group.

He reportedly surrendered along the Ladari–Jegarawa–Tunokalia axis on the Gamboru–Wulgo Main Supply Route.

Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement released on Saturday night.

Preliminary profiling identified the surrendered man as the chief finance operative of the ISWAP enclave at Jubillaram.

According to Goni, he was responsible for managing the terrorist group’s finances and coordinating its logistics.

Items recovered from him included one AK-47 rifle, four magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one motorcycle and ₦40,000.

The Army linked the surrender to recent coordinated land and air operations conducted against terrorist hideouts across the North-East.

Goni said the development came amid an increase in voluntary surrenders, with about 46 suspected terrorists and their family members reportedly turning themselves in to troops in recent days.

“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded another major operational breakthrough with the surrender of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province finance operative,” he said.

The surrendered operative is undergoing detailed profiling and interrogation as troops seek information that could assist ongoing operations against other terrorist elements.

The Army described his surrender as a significant setback for ISWAP’s financial and logistical network.

It said the increasing number of defections indicated growing disillusionment within terrorist camps and weakening command structures following sustained military pressure.

Operation Hadin Kai urged other terrorists to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives and surrender their weapons.

The Theatre Command also appealed to members of the public to provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could support counterterrorism operations across the region.