The Nigerian Army has confirmed that two commanders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), including a suspected Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) expert, have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Yobe State.
According to the military, the two terrorists — Ismail Mohammed, a commander under a notorious ISWAP leader known as Baa Shuwa, and Abu Umar, an ISWAP engineer with expertise in VBIEDs — surrendered to troops of the 159 Battalion in Geidam on June 8 following sustained military pressure and ongoing operations to dismantle terrorist networks in the region.
In an operational report released on Thursday, the Army disclosed that Umar possesses detailed knowledge of locations where explosive devices were produced and stored within ISWAP camps, making his surrender a significant breakthrough in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Beyond the intensified offensive against the insurgents, troops also apprehended two suspected terrorist informants in separate operations in Borno State.
“Combined troops of the 19 Battalion, 25 Brigade Garrison and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force apprehended a suspected informant in Damboa town on June 9,” the statement said, adding that the suspect confessed to supplying logistics and intelligence to terrorists.
Similarly, troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion arrested another suspected informant later the same day.
Meanwhile, soldiers foiled an attempted terrorist attack on a military location in Buni Yadi, responding with heavy fire that neutralised the attackers.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of the decomposing bodies of two terrorists and a motorcycle.
The surrendered commanders and the arrested informants are currently in military custody and are undergoing further investigation.
The Army said the operations underscore its determination to dismantle ISWAP networks and deny terrorists freedom of movement and action across the North-East.