- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Army has declared 38 suspected leaders of the Islamic State of West African Province, ISWAP, following discovery of high-value intelligence materials containing their profiles.
This is coming under the heels of a successful operation against the ISWAP/ISIS terrorists in the Lake Chad region of Northern Borno State by the troops of the North East Joint Task Force popularly known as Operation HADIN KAI.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the task force’s spokesperson, Mohammed Goni the troops had during the operations recovered several technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials.
This included a camcorder used by ISWAP terrorists to record propaganda videos and document operational activities as well as the details of their leaders.
‘Subsequent forensic exploitation of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence, leading to the identification of locations associated with terrorist activities as well as identities of several senior ISWAP leaders 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 statement partly read.
The identified terrorists’ leaders and key operatives include; Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa – Wali (Governor of ISIS West Africa Province), his Deputy/Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda (“The One-Handed Man”) and Hamad Abu Hanifa the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP among others.
The troops declared Baa Shuwa as the most wanted terrorist leader as they promised substantial financial reward for anyone with credible information that will to his arrest.
‘Operation HADIN KAI wishes to specifically draw the attention of the public to Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, the ISWAP Wali, who remains the most wanted terrorist leader operating within the Lake Chad Basin.
‘The military will offer a substantial financial reward to any individual whose credible and actionable information directly leads to his arrest.
‘All information received will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, and the identity of informants will be fully protected in accordance with established security procedures.’ The troops said.
Operation HADIN KAI urged members of the public to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending these suspected terrorist operatives.
It however warned them against taking action into their hand whenever they spot any of the suspected terrorists.
‘Members of the public are encouraged to report any relevant information through established security reporting channels or via 0708 498 8859.
‘Citizens are strongly advised not to confront or attempt to apprehend the suspected terrorists under any circumstances.’ The statement read further.
Meanwhile, the troops specifically placed N10 million and N50 million bounty respectively on the ISWAP’s Jaish Unit Commander, Muhammed Jiddah, and Ibn Muhammed, the Commander of the Amniyya Unit.
