Operation Hadin Kai says intelligence-led operations also led to the arrest of six suspected collaborators and the recovery of terrorist logistics in Borno State

The Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai has announced that the wife of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province finance operative and her 11-year-old son have surrendered to troops in Borno State, as security forces intensify intelligence-led operations targeting the group’s logistics and financial networks.

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The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations at Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the woman and her son surrendered on July 29, 2026, through Kusuma Village.

According to Goni, the surrender came four days after the woman’s husband, described as a senior ISWAP commander and the group’s chief finance officer in Jubillaram, surrendered to troops on July 25.

“Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have continued to sustain pressure on terrorists through a series of intelligence-led operations that resulted 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.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the former ISWAP finance operative instructed his wife to surrender with their son after leaving the terrorist enclave.

Goni said both individuals had undergone initial screening and were receiving further profiling in line with established military procedures.

The surrender formed part of a broader series of operations carried out across Borno State in recent days.

On July 27, troops of the 5 Brigade arrested six suspected ISWAP collaborators in Damasak.

Preliminary investigations suggested the suspects allegedly generated funds for the terrorist group through the procurement and sale of cattle at designated markets in Gubio, Damasak and Ajuwango.

Security personnel recovered a Volkswagen Golf vehicle, vehicle keys, four mobile phones, cow meat and ₦317,950 from the suspects.

“The suspects are currently in military custody undergoing further investigation,” Goni added.

In another operation, troops of the 145 Battalion carried out a clearance mission at Turoh following credible intelligence.

According to the army spokesman, suspected terrorists fled upon sighting the advancing troops, abandoning two motorcycles and large quantities of illicit hard drugs, which were subsequently recovered during exploitation of the area.

The latest operations reflect the Nigerian military’s continuing strategy of combining sustained military pressure with intelligence gathering to disrupt insurgent financing, logistics and movement across the North-East.

In recent years, Operation Hadin Kai has recorded a growing number of voluntary surrenders by insurgents and their family members, alongside targeted operations against terrorist camps and supply networks.

Security analysts have noted that weakening financial and logistical structures remains a critical element in reducing the operational capacity of armed groups in the region.

Goni reaffirmed the military’s commitment to dismantling terrorist support networks while encouraging willing insurgents and their families to lay down their arms.

“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,” he said.

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While the latest surrender represents another notable development in the counter-insurgency campaign, security operations remain active across Borno and neighbouring states as troops continue efforts to locate fleeing militants and prevent the resurgence of terrorist activities.