ISWAP Leaders Surrender In Borno As Military Intensifies Offensive

Several senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, the military said on Monday, attributing the development to sustained offensive operations against the terrorist group.

The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the surrendered insurgent leaders were among key members of the terrorist network who abandoned their enclaves following sustained military pressure.

According to him, the suspects are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing and other procedures in line with operational protocols.

“The Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), has continued to record significant operational successes in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists through sustained operations backed by credible, timely and actionable intelligence,” Goni said in a statement.

He added that the latest surrender represented another major breakthrough in the military’s campaign against insurgency in the North-East.

“In another major breakthrough, a fresh group of top ISWAP terrorist leaders have abandoned their enclaves and surrendered to troops within the North-East theatre of operations.

“Among those who surrendered are key members of the terrorist network due to relentless military pressure. They are currently in a secure location undergoing profiling, debriefing and other established procedures in accordance with extant operational protocols,” he stated.

Goni said the latest development underscored what he described as the impact of sustained military offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist strongholds, disrupting command and logistics structures, and denying insurgents freedom of movement across the theatre of operations.

He said continuous military pressure had weakened the group’s fighting capacity while diminishing confidence within its ranks and leadership.

According to the military spokesman, 76 terrorist foot soldiers, along with some of their family members, surrendered to troops within the past week alone.

Goni said the development reflected the effectiveness of the military’s counter-terrorism strategy, which combines precision combat operations, intelligence-led engagements and joint operations with other security partners.

He reiterated that Operation Hadin Kai would sustain its offensive until terrorism is defeated in the North-East.

“Operation HADIN KAI remains resolute in its mission to completely defeat terrorism and restore lasting peace and security across the North-East.

“The pressure on the remaining terrorist elements will continue unabated until they are completely neutralised or forced to surrender,” he added.