Two ISWAP commanders, bomb expert surrender to troops in Yobe

Two senior members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), including a suspected expert in vehicle-borne explosive devices, have surrendered to Nigerian troops in Yobe State, the Nigerian Army has confirmed.

 The individuals laid down their arms before troops of Operation HADIN KAI.

The surrender took place on 8 June in Geidam, where soldiers of the 159 Battalion received Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar.

Ismail Mohammed  was said to have previously served as a commander under a terror leader known as Baa Shuwa and was believed to have deep insight into the group’s structure and operations.

Abu Umar, on the other hand, was described as an ISWAP technical specialist involved in the construction and handling of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. Authorities believe he had knowledge of locations where explosive materials were manufactured and concealed within insurgent enclaves.

Both men are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation as part of ongoing investigations.

In separate operations in Borno State, troops also arrested two suspected informants accused of assisting terrorist networks.

A joint team comprising soldiers of the 19 Battalion, personnel of the 25 Brigade Garrison and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force apprehended one suspect in Damboa on 9 June. The individual was reportedly caught while purchasing farming supplies and mosquito nets allegedly destined for insurgent groups operating in the area.

Investigators said the suspect admitted during preliminary questioning to providing logistics support and intelligence to terrorist elements. He is being held at the Headquarters of 25 Brigade for further interrogation.

“Similarly, troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion arrested another suspected terrorist informant on the same day.

“The suspect was apprehended at about 7:00 p.m. and remained in military custody pending further action.

“Meanwhile, troops also foiled an attempted terrorist attack on a military location after sighting suspected terrorists approaching the area on June 9.

“Troops responded with fire missions aimed at neutralising the terrorists and denying them freedom of action within the area of operation,” it said.

The report further noted that troops carried out a follow-up sweep of the area on 10 June, during which the remains of two terrorists and a motorcycle were discovered.

Preliminary findings suggested the insurgents may have been killed in an earlier engagement in Buni Yadi, with their bodies already in a decomposed state.

Search operations in the vicinity did not yield additional recoveries, according to the military report.