Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A forgotten camcorder, left behind by fleeing terrorists, has become the Nigerian military's most powerful intelligence weapon, exposing the identities of 38 senior Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders and triggering a ₦60 million bounty hunt for the group's two most wanted leaders. The operation, carried out by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the Lake Chad region of northern Borno State, has delivered one of the most significant intelligence breakthroughs in the counter-insurgency campaign, according to a statement released on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed that troops recovered several technical devices and high-value intelligence materials during recent offensive operations against ISWAP/ISIS enclaves in the Lake Chad region. Among the recovered items was a camcorder allegedly used by the terrorists to record propaganda videos and document their operational activities. Forensic exploitation of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence that enabled security forces to identify terrorist hideouts 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 Government Areas of Borno State.
The military subsequently released a large intelligence 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." The poster contains photographs and aliases of at least 38 suspected ISWAP commanders and fighters believed to be active across northern Borno and the Lake Chad region. At the centre of the poster is a high-value target identified as Abu Musa Al-Barnawi Baashuwa, described as "High Value Target – Extremely Dangerous." Surrounding him are 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 placed a combined ₦60 million bounty on two of the group's most wanted leaders. A ₦50 million reward was announced for information leading to 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. Another ₦10 million reward was placed on Muhammad Jidda, described as an ISWAP Commander of the Jaish Unit. The military also specifically drew attention to Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, the Wali (Governor) of ISWAP, describing him as the most wanted terrorist leader currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin. Other identified leaders include his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, also known as "The One-Handed Man," and Hamad Abu Hanifa, the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP.
The military urged members of the public to provide credible intelligence on the whereabouts of the suspects, stressing that silence only emboldens terrorism. "Silence helps them. Information defeats them. You see them. You know them. Report them. Together, we can end terror," one of the campaign materials read. The notices urged members of the public to contact security authorities through a dedicated telephone and WhatsApp line, assuring potential informants that their identities would be protected. The military warned Nigerians not to confront or attempt to arrest the suspects under any circumstances. Operation HADIN KAI appealed to residents to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending the identified terrorist operatives. The successful intelligence operation marks a significant victory in the fight against terrorism, demonstrating the power of forensic intelligence in dismantling terrorist networks and bringing their leaders to justice.
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