The Nigerian Army has placed a ₦60 million bounty on two senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), declaring them wanted over their alleged involvement in terrorist activities across the Lake Chad Basin. The move follows a major intelligence breakthrough by troops of Operation Hadin Kai during recent offensive operations in northern Borno State.
According to the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, Captain Muhammed Goni, forensic analysis of technical devices recovered from ISWAP hideouts—including a camcorder used to record propaganda videos and operational activities—led to the identification of several top terrorist commanders. Among those identified are Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the ISWAP governor (Wali), and his deputy, Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man.”
The Army announced a ₦50 million reward for credible information leading to the arrest of Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, while ₦10 million has been offered for information that results in the capture of Muhammad Jidda. Military authorities said both men are believed to be operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis, covering parts of Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin.
Captain Goni said the operation marks another significant success in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism campaign, adding that intelligence gathered from the recovered devices has also helped identify other senior ISWAP operatives and locations linked to the group’s activities. He stressed that the latest development demonstrates the growing effectiveness of intelligence-led military operations against terrorist networks in the North-East.
The Nigerian Army urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in apprehending the suspects. It assured potential informants that their identities would be treated with strict confidentiality and warned citizens not to confront or attempt to arrest the wanted terrorists themselves, but instead report useful information through official security channels.
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