The Nigerian Army has declared 38 senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) wanted following an intelligence breakthrough from ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Borno State.
Operation HADIN KAI announced on Wednesday that troops uncovered the identities of the wanted terrorists after recovering a camcorder and other intelligence materials during operations in the Lake Chad region.
The military said forensic analysis of the recovered items provided leads that exposed ISWAP’s leadership structure and operational locations.
The Army said the identified commanders are linked to activities around the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno, an area that remains a major theatre of insurgent activity.
Among those listed is Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, identified as ISWAP’s Wali (Governor) and one of the group’s most wanted leaders in the Lake Chad Basin.
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Others include Muhammad Jidda, popularly known as “The One-Handed Man,” identified as the group’s deputy leader and Amirul Jaish, and Hamad Abu Hanifa, described as ISWAP’s Amirul-Fiya.
Operation HADIN KAI said a financial reward would be provided for credible information leading to Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa’s arrest, while assuring that informants’ identities would remain confidential.
The development follows a series of intelligence-led operations aimed at weakening ISWAP’s command network. In recent months, military offensives in Borno have led to the recovery of critical intelligence materials, the disruption of insurgent cells and the surrender or elimination of some commanders.
The Army urged residents to support counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible information through established security channels or by calling 07084988859.
The latest wanted list marks a significant push by security forces to dismantle ISWAP’s leadership structure and limit the group’s ability to operate across the Lake Chad Basin.