The Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, has announced the identification of several senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) following recent military operations in the Lake Chad region of northern Borno State.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, the military said troops recovered technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials during offensive operations against the terrorist group.

According to the statement, among the recovered items was a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP fighters to record propaganda videos and document operational activities.

The military said forensic exploitation of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence, leading to the identification of locations linked to terrorist activities and several senior ISWAP commanders 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.

Operation Hadin Kai identified the suspected terrorist leaders as Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the Wali (Governor) of ISWAP; his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, also known as "The One-Handed Man"; and Hamad Abu Hanifa, identified as the Amirul-Fiya of the group, among other key operatives.

The military specifically described Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa as the most wanted ISWAP leader currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin.

According to the statement, a substantial financial reward will be offered to any individual whose credible and actionable information directly leads to his arrest.

The military assured members of the public that all information received would be treated with the utmost confidentiality and that the identities of informants would be fully protected in line with established security procedures.

Operation Hadin Kai urged residents to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending the suspected terrorist operatives.

The Joint Task Force advised members of the public to report relevant information through established security reporting channels or via the dedicated telephone line 0708 498 8859, while cautioning citizens not to confront or attempt to apprehend any suspected terrorists under any circumstances.