Military Offers N60 Million Reward for Capture of ISWAP Leader and Second-in-Command

The Nigerian Army has announced a combined bounty of N60m for information leading to the capture of two senior leaders of the Islamic State West Africa Province, specifically Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, the group's governor, and his deputy, Muhammad Jidda, who have been declared wanted for their alleged roles in terrorist activities in the Lake Chad Basin.

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Their identities were revealed through a thorough forensic analysis of technical devices seized during a recent military operation against the terrorist group in the Lake Chad region, which yielded valuable intelligence.

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Capt Muhammed Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Taskforce Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed this information in a statement released on Wednesday, providing details on the bounties placed on the two leaders.

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A bounty of N50m has been placed on Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, the ISWAP governor, while N10m is being offered for credible information leading to the arrest of his deputy, Muhammad Jidda, as outlined in fliers attached to the statement.

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According to Capt Goni, the identities of the leaders were obtained after a thorough forensic analysis of recovered devices, including high-value intelligence materials and a camcorder used by ISWAP terrorists.

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The statement highlighted a significant breakthrough for Operation Hadin Kai, which has recorded recent successes in its offensive operations against ISWAP/ISIS terrorists in the Lake Chad region of Northern Borno State.

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During these operations, troops recovered several technical devices and high-value intelligence materials, including a camcorder used by ISWAP terrorists to record propaganda videos and document their operational activities.

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The forensic analysis of the recovered devices generated actionable intelligence, leading to the identification of locations associated with terrorist activities and the identities of several senior ISWAP leaders operating in the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis along the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin.

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The identified terrorist leaders include Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, the Wali or Governor of ISIS West Africa Province, his Deputy/Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda, also known as "The One-Handed Man", and Hamad Abu Hanifa, the Amirul-Fiya of ISWAP, among others.

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Operation Hadin Kai is drawing the public's attention to Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, who remains the most wanted terrorist leader operating within the Lake Chad Basin, and is offering a substantial financial reward for information leading to his arrest.

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The military has assured that all information received will be treated with utmost confidentiality, and informants will be fully protected in accordance with established security procedures.

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Operation Hadin Kai is urging 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 suspected terrorist operatives.

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Citizens can report relevant information through established security reporting channels or by contacting 07084988859, and are strongly advised not to confront or attempt to apprehend the suspected terrorists under any circumstances.