An alleged senior finance operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Musa Usman, has surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, alongside his two sons.
The military said the surrender forms part of a growing wave of defections from insurgent camps following intensified land and air operations across the North-East.
Mohammed Gomi, Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed that about 46 insurgents and their family members have recently laid down their arms.
Military sources told counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama that intelligence gathered through human sources indicated that the suspected ISWAP member intended to surrender along the Ladari–Jegarawaji–Tunokalia corridor on the Gamboru–Wulgo main supply route.
“Acting on the intelligence, troops of 3 Battalion (Mechanised), in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and Hybrid Forces, mobilised and intercepted the terrorist at about 6:45 a.m. on July 25,” the report reads.
“The surrendered insurgent was identified as Musa Usman, aged 40, who arrived with his two sons, Abubakar Musa, 10, and Awwali Musa, 15.”
According to the military, preliminary findings revealed that Usman allegedly served as the chief finance officer of an ISWAP enclave located in Jubillaram, where he reportedly managed the group’s finances, logistics and other resources.
Security operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle, four AK-47 magazines, 101 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, a motorcycle and ₦40,000 in cash from the suspect.
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“Musa Usman and his children are currently undergoing detailed profiling and further interrogation to extract actionable intelligence that could assist ongoing operations against remaining ISWAP elements and their support networks across the theatre,” Makama said.
Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining military operations aimed at restoring peace across the North-East, while urging insurgents still in hiding to take advantage of the Federal Government’s non-kinetic initiatives by surrendering.
The military also appealed to residents to continue providing credible and timely intelligence to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region.