ISWAP Finance Commander’s Wife, 11-Year-Old Son Surrender to Nigerian Troops in Borno

• The wife and 11-year-old son of a senior ISWAP finance commander have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State, days after the terrorist leader reportedly turned himself in.

The wife of a senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) finance commander and her 11-year-old son have surrendered to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Headquarters Theatre Command, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni.

According to the military, the woman and her son surrendered on July 29, 2026, through Kusuma Village, just four days after her husband reportedly laid down his arms and surrendered to troops.

“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.

“On 29 July 2026, the wife of an ISWAP chief finance operative and her 11-year-old son surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion through Kusuma Village,” the statement said.

Capt. Goni disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed the woman’s husband served as ISWAP’s chief finance operative in Jubillaram before surrendering to the military on July 25, 2026.

According to the army, the commander instructed his wife to surrender with their son after he successfully escaped from the terrorist enclave.

The military said both mother and child have been screened and are currently undergoing further profiling in line with established procedures.

Six Suspected ISWAP Collaborators Arrested

In a separate operation carried out on July 27, troops of the 5 Brigade arrested six suspected ISWAP collaborators in Damasak, Borno State.

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

Items recovered from the suspects included:

• A Volkswagen Golf car
• Vehicle keys
• Four mobile phones
• Cow meat
• ₦317,950 in cash

The suspects are currently in military custody and undergoing further investigation.

Troops Recover Motorcycles, Hard Drugs

Meanwhile, troops of the 145 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a clearance operation in Turoh, forcing suspected terrorists to flee the area.

During the operation, soldiers recovered two motorcycles and large quantities of illicit hard drugs abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks, disrupting their sources of funding and logistics, and restoring lasting peace across the North-East.

The military also encouraged terrorists willing to surrender, as well as members of the public, to continue providing credible information that would support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.