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The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a senior terrorist commander and the surrender of two high-ranking Islamic State West Africa Province leaders to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State.
The two commanders surrendered to troops on June 8, 2026, according to Lieutenant Colonel Haruna Sani, Acting Media Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force.
They occupied strategic positions within the terrorist hierarchy and operated in the Mangari axis of the Lake Chad region, Sani said in a statement on Thursday.
The surrendered terrorists were identified as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar, who are currently in military custody undergoing profiling and debriefing.
Ismail Mohammed was a close associate of senior ISWAP leader Baa Shuwa and possessed extensive knowledge of the group’s command structure and operations, Sani said.
Abu Umar was widely known within the terrorist network as a skilled explosives specialist responsible for fabricating and maintaining vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and other combat-support equipment, he added.
Preliminary interrogation also revealed that another senior terrorist commander, Mohammed Khalifa, a member of the ISWAP Shura Council, was killed during joint operations conducted by Operation Hadin Kai.
Sani said the surrender of the two commanders represented a major setback for the terrorist organisation, given their experience, influence and technical expertise acquired over several years within the insurgent network.
“Their decision to flee and surrender further underscores the effectiveness of sustained offensive operations by troops of Operation Hadin Kai,” Sani said.
He noted that sustained military pressure had continued to degrade terrorist capabilities, weaken operational networks and compel increasing numbers of insurgents to surrender.
“This development further demonstrates the growing desperation and declining morale within terrorist ranks as relentless military pressure continues to deny them freedom of action and safe havens,” he said.
Operation Hadin Kai remained committed to maintaining pressure on terrorist elements across the region, Sani added.
“The military will continue to exploit all available opportunities to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting stability to affected communities,” he said.
OPERATION HADIN KAI RECORDS MAJOR SUCCESS AS HIGH-PROFILE ISWAP COMMANDERS SURRENDER UNDER SUSTAINED MILITARY PRESSURE
Operation HADIN KAI has recorded another significant success in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign following the surrender of two high-profile Islamic State… pic.twitter.com/Jr1qiZ9gNP
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) June 11, 2026
