Top ISWAP leaders and explosives experts turn themselves in to military forces in Yobe

Two key commanders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province, including a specialist in Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, have turned themselves in to the troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Yobe, according to the Nigerian Army.

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This development was revealed in an operational report made available on Thursday in Abuja, which identified the surrendered terrorists as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar.

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Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar surrendered to the 159 Battalion in Geidam on June 8, with Mohammed being a commander under the terrorist leader Baa Shuwa, possessing detailed knowledge of the group's activities.

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Abu Umar, on the other hand, was an ISWAP engineer and specialist in vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, believed to have knowledge of locations where such devices were produced and stored within ISWAP camps.

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Both suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation, according to the report.

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Troops also apprehended two suspected terrorist informants in separate operations in Borno, with the first suspect being arrested in Damboa town on June 9 by combined troops of the 19 Battalion, 25 Brigade Garrison, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.

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The suspect was caught purchasing farm items and mosquito nets allegedly meant for terrorists operating within Damboa Local Government Area and later confessed to supplying logistics and providing information to terrorist elements during preliminary investigation.

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The suspect is currently in the custody of Headquarters 25 Brigade for further investigation, while another suspected terrorist informant was arrested by troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion on the same day.

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This second suspect was apprehended at about 7:00 p.m. and remains in military custody pending further action.

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Troops also foiled an attempted terrorist attack on a military location after sighting suspected terrorists approaching the area on June 9, responding with fire missions aimed at neutralising the terrorists.

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On June 10, troops conducted an exploitation of the area and discovered the corpses of two terrorists, as well as a motorcycle, with preliminary assessments indicating that the bodies were already decomposing.

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The decomposition of the bodies suggests that the terrorists had been neutralised during an earlier encounter with troops in Buni Yadi, and although troops searched the area, no additional items were recovered.