Nigerian Army has declared several senior leaders and key operatives of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) wanted following what it described as a major intelligence breakthrough during recent counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
He said troops recovered technical devices and other intelligence materials, including a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP fighters to record propaganda videos and operational activities, during recent offensives against the insurgents.
According to the statement, forensic analysis of the recovered devices enabled security forces to identify locations linked to terrorist activities as well as several senior ISWAP commanders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis around the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Among those declared wanted are Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, identified by the military 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.
The military described Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa as the most wanted ISWAP leader currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin.
It said a substantial financial reward would be offered to anyone who provides credible and actionable information leading to the arrest of the wanted suspects.
The Army assured members of the public that all information received would be treated with strict 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 operations by providing timely and credible information through established security reporting channels or via the dedicated telephone line 0708 498 8859.
The military also cautioned citizens against attempting to confront or arrest any of the wanted suspects, advising that all relevant information should instead be reported to security agencies.
