The Nigerian Army has declared several top commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province wanted after intelligence recovered during recent military operations exposed their identities and operational network in the Lake Chad region.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the breakthrough followed forensic analysis of electronic devices seized from the terrorists during recent offensives.
According to him, troops recovered several technical devices, including a camcorder allegedly used by the insurgents to produce propaganda videos and document their operations.
He said intelligence extracted from the devices led security operatives to identify key terrorist locations and senior ISWAP commanders operating within the Mangari-Metele-Dogon Chukun corridor around the Lake Chad Basin, covering parts of Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
Among those declared wanted are the ISWAP governor, Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, also known as Wali; his deputy, Amirul Jaish Muhammad Jidda, popularly called "The One-Handed Man"; and Hamad Abu Hanifa, identified as the group's Amirul-Fiya.
Goni described Abu Musa as the most wanted terrorist leader currently operating within the Lake Chad Basin, adding that the military had placed a substantial financial reward on information that would lead to his arrest.
He assured members of the public that anyone who provides credible intelligence would have their identity protected, stressing that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The military spokesman urged residents to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations by volunteering useful information through established security channels or by calling 0708 498 8859. He, however, warned citizens against attempting to arrest or confront any of the suspects.
The Army also announced a ₦50 million bounty on Ibn Muhammad, identified as commander of the Amniyya unit, while a ₦10 million reward was placed on Muhammad Jidda, who also heads the Jaish unit.
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