Army declares 38 ISWAP leaders wanted after intelligence breakthrough in Lake Chad
The Nigerian Army has declared several senior leaders and key operatives of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP/ISIS) wanted following an intelligence breakthrough from recent military operations in the Lake Chad region of Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, 5 August 2026.
Goni said the identities of the suspected terrorist commanders were uncovered through forensic analysis of technical devices and other high-value intelligence materials recovered during an offensive operation against ISWAP fighters.
The military said the recovered items included a camcorder allegedly used by the group to produce propaganda materials and record operational activities.
According to the statement, analysis of the recovered devices provided actionable intelligence that helped security forces identify locations linked to terrorist activities and the identities of senior ISWAP figures operating around the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis on the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas.
Those declared wanted include Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, identified by the military as the Wali, or governor, of ISIS West Africa Province; Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man”, who was described as the group’s deputy leader and Amirul Jaish; and Hamad Abu Hanifa, identified as the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP.
The Army described Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa as the most wanted ISWAP leader currently operating in the Lake Chad Basin and announced that a financial reward would be provided for credible information that directly leads to his arrest.
Operation Hadin Kai assured members of the public that all information supplied to security agencies would be treated with strict confidentiality and that the identities of informants would be protected.
The military urged residents to support counter-terrorism operations by providing timely and reliable intelligence through established security channels or by calling 0708 498 8859.
It, however, warned members of the public against attempting to confront or arrest the suspected terrorists, advising them instead to allow security agencies to handle such operations.
