*Offers N60m Reward For Two
MILITARY authorities have declared some senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) wanted, following forensic analyses of electronic devices recovered during recent combat operations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 5, the acting spokesman of the joint task force in the Northeast, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said the breakthrough followed recent offensive operations against ISWAP fighters in northern part of the state, during which troops recovered several technical devices and other intelligence materials, including a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP members to record propaganda videos and document operational activities.
Goni explained that forensic analyses of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence that enabled security military forces to identify locations linked to terrorist activities and several senior ISWAP commanders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis, along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Councils of the state.
The top commanders identified and declared wanted include Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, described as the Wali (Governor) of ISWAP; his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, also known as ‘The One-Handed Man;’ and Hamad Abu Hanifa, identified as the group’s Amirul-Fiya (field commander), among others.
Goni described Shuwa as the most wanted ISWAP leader currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin, adding: “Citizens are strongly advised not to confront or attempt to apprehend the suspected terrorists under any circumstances.”
He urged residents to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations by providing credible and timely information through security reporting channels, or by calling 0708 498 8859, assuring that information provided by the public would be treated confidentially and identities of informants protected, in line with established security procedures.
Meanwhile, the military, in a poster containing photographs and aliases of at least the 38 suspected ISWAP commanders and fighters believed to be active across northern Borno and the Lake Chad region, placed a combined N60million bounty on two of the group’s most wanted leaders in a public appeal for information capable of leading to their arrest.
A poster, bearing the inscription, “Most Wanted ISWAP Leaders- We Know Them. You Can Stop Them. These are known ISWAP terrorists and commanders operating in our communities. Your information can save lives and help restore peace,”
described Abu Musa Al-Barnawi Baashuwa, described as “High Value Target- Extremely Dangerous.”
He is surrounding by photographs of other suspected commanders identified by aliases, including Baana; Ibrahim; Baa Idrissa; Abu Ishaq; Yaa Bashir; Ibn Mohammed; Jidda; Cobara; Kuram; Sale; Hamad; Marsad; Sukurt; Abakar; Bare’u; Hassan; Abor; Tsani Abite; Modipo; Chake Kura; Suleiman; and several others.
The military solicited information from the public on their whereabouts, stressing that silence only emboldens terrorism.
The poster stated: “Silence helps them. Information defeats them. You see them. You know them. Report them. Together, we can end terror.”
The military, in separate notices, announced cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of two of the senior ISWAP commanders.
According to SaharaRepoters, while one of the notices identified Muhammad Jidda, described as an ISWAP Commander of the Jaish Unit, with a reward of N10million for information leading to his capture, another notice announced a N50million reward for information resulting in the arrest of Ibn Muhammad, identified as an ISWAP Commander of the Amniyya Unit, one of the terrorist group’s intelligence and internal security formations.
The notices charged the public to contact security authorities through the dedicated telephone and WhatsApp line, adding: “Information is power. Your information can break their network. Be a hero. Help bring peace to your community.”
