The wife and 11-year-old son of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance operative have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to Goni, the woman and her son surrendered to troops of the 3 Battalion at Kusuma Village on July 29, just days after her husband reportedly surrendered to the military.
“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have continued to sustain pressure on terrorists through intelligence-led operations, resulting in the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators, the surrender of the family members of a senior ISWAP commander and the recovery of terrorist logistics items,” Goni said.
He explained that preliminary investigations revealed the woman’s husband, who reportedly served as ISWAP’s chief finance officer in Jubillaram, surrendered on July 25 and later instructed his wife to surrender with their son after escaping from the terrorists’ enclave.
“Both individuals have been screened and are currently undergoing further profiling in line with established procedures,” he added.
In a separate operation on July 27, troops of the 5 Brigade arrested six suspected ISWAP collaborators in Damasak, Borno State.
According to the army spokesman, investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly raised funds for the terrorist group through the purchase and sale of cattle at designated markets in Gubio, Damasak and Ajuwango.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly generating funds for the terrorist group through the procurement and sale of cattle at designated markets,” Goni stated.
Items recovered from the suspects included a Volkswagen Golf vehicle, vehicle keys, four mobile phones, cow meat and ₦317,950 in cash.
The military said the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, troops of the 145 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a clearance operation at Turoh, forcing suspected terrorists to flee.
“On sighting the advancing troops, the terrorists fled in disarray. During the exploitation of the area, troops recovered two motorcycles and large quantities of illicit hard drugs abandoned by the fleeing terrorists,” Goni said.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics and financial networks. It also encouraged members of terrorist groups and their families willing to surrender to do so.
“The military also urges members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information that will support ongoing operations to restore lasting peace, security and stability across the theatre,” the statement added.
