PHOTO CREDIT: The Sun Nigeria / ISWAP file photo
Military Declares Top ISWAP/ISIS Leaders Wanted in Lake Chad Basin, Places Bounty on Wali
The Nigerian Military has identified several senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and ISIS operating within the Lake Chad Basin following recent offensives in northern Borno State.
The development was disclosed on Wednesday in a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni.
According to the statement, troops recovered technical devices and high-value intelligence materials during operations, including a camcorder used by ISWAP for recording propaganda videos and documenting its activities.
Forensic analysis of the recovered devices led to the identification of terrorist enclaves and senior operatives active around the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis, along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Among those identified are Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa – the Wali (Governor of ISIS West Africa Province), his Deputy/Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda, popularly known as “The One-Handed Man”, and Hamad Abu Hanifa, the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP, among others.
The military specifically declared Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa as the most wanted terrorist leader operating in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Operation HADIN KAI wishes to specifically draw the attention of the public to Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, the ISWAP Wali, who remains the most wanted terrorist leader operating within the Lake Chad Basin. The military will offer a substantial financial reward to any individual whose credible and actionable information directly leads to his arrest,” the statement said.
It assured that all information provided will be treated with utmost confidentiality and informants’ identities will be fully protected in line with established security procedures.
Operation Hadin Kai also urged the public to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible and timely information through established security reporting channels or via 0708 498 8859, while warning citizens not to confront or attempt to apprehend the suspects.
SOURCE: The Sun Nigeria –