The Nigerian Army has declared two senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) wanted, placing a combined ₦60 million bounty on them as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the terrorist group’s leadership structure in the Lake Chad Basin.
The wanted suspects are Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, identified as the Governor (Wali) of ISWAP, and his deputy, Muhammad Jidda, who are both accused of playing key roles in the terrorist group’s operations across northeastern Nigeria.
According to the military, the identities of the two leaders were uncovered through forensic analysis of technical devices recovered during a recent offensive carried out by troops of Operation Hadin Kai against ISWAP fighters in the Lake Chad region.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday.
As part of the reward package, the Army announced ₦50 million 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 his deputy, Muhammad Jidda.
Captain Goni explained that the breakthrough followed successful military operations in northern Borno State, during which troops recovered several technical devices and valuable intelligence materials belonging to the terrorist group.
Among the recovered items was a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP members to produce propaganda videos and document their operational activities.
According to the military, forensic exploitation of the recovered devices generated critical intelligence that exposed terrorist hideouts and identified several top ISWAP commanders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis along the Lake Chad Basin, covering parts of Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
The statement read:
“Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has recorded another significant breakthrough following recent successful offensive operations against ISWAP/ISIS terrorists in the Lake Chad region of Northern Borno State.”
Captain Goni further stated that:
“Subsequent forensic exploitation of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence, leading to the identification of locations associated with terrorist activities as well as identities of several senior ISWAP leaders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa local government areas of Borno State.
“The identified terrorist leaders and key operatives include Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa – Wali (Governor of ISIS West Africa Province), his Deputy/Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda (“The One-Handed Man”) and Hamad Abu Hanifa, the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP, among others.”
The Army described Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa as the most wanted ISWAP commander currently operating in the Lake Chad Basin and urged members of the public to assist security agencies with useful intelligence.
According to Goni:
“The military will offer a substantial financial reward to any individual whose credible and actionable information directly leads to his arrest.”
He assured Nigerians that any information provided would be handled with strict confidentiality and that informants would be protected in line with established security procedures.
The military also appealed to residents, particularly those in communities around the Lake Chad region, to continue supporting ongoing counter-terrorism operations by reporting suspicious movements and individuals.
“Operation Hadin Kai urges members of the public to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending these suspected terrorist operatives.”
The Nigerian Army advised citizens not to confront or attempt to arrest the suspects themselves but instead report any useful information through approved security channels or by calling 07084988859.
“Citizens are strongly advised not to confront or attempt to apprehend the suspected terrorists under any circumstances,” the statement added.
The latest development highlights the military’s continued efforts to weaken ISWAP’s command structure through intelligence-driven operations as security forces intensify campaigns against insurgent groups operating across Nigeria’s North-East.
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