The Nigerian Army has announced a ₦60 million reward for information that will lead to the arrest of two senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), following recent military operations in Borno State.
The wanted suspects are Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, identified as the group’s governor (Wali), and his deputy, Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man.”
According to the military, Abu Musa carries a ₦50 million bounty, while ₦10 million has been offered for credible information leading to the arrest of Muhammad Jidda.
The announcement was made by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Goni explained that the breakthrough came after troops recovered several technical devices and intelligence materials during a successful offensive against ISWAP in the Lake Chad region. Experts later examined the recovered items, including a camcorder reportedly used by the terrorists to produce propaganda videos and record their activities.
The forensic analysis helped security operatives uncover locations linked to terrorist operations and identify several key ISWAP commanders operating within the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun corridor around the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
The statement read, “Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has recorded another significant breakthrough following recent successful offensive operations against ISWAP/ISIS terrorists in the Lake Chad region of Northern Borno State.”
It added, **“Subsequent forensic exploitation of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence, leading to the identification of locations associated with terrorist activities as well as identities of several senior ISWAP leaders 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 identified terrorist leaders and key operatives include Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa – Wali (Governor of ISIS West Africa Province), his Deputy/Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda (“The One-Handed Man”) and Hamad Abu Hanifa, the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP, among others.”**
Goni stressed that Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa remains the military’s most wanted ISWAP commander in the Lake Chad Basin and appealed to members of the public to assist security agencies with useful information.
“The military will offer a substantial financial reward to any individual whose credible and actionable information directly leads to his arrest,” he said.
He assured potential informants that their identities would be protected and treated with strict confidentiality.
“Operation Hadin Kai urges members of the public to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible and timely information that could assist security agencies in locating and apprehending these suspected terrorist operatives,” the statement added.
The military urged anyone with useful information to report through established security channels or via 07084988859.
Goni also warned residents against attempting to arrest or confront the suspects themselves.
“Citizens are strongly advised not to confront or attempt to apprehend the suspected terrorists under any circumstances,” he said.
