The Nigerian Army has declared several senior leaders and key operatives of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) wanted following recent counter-terrorism operations in the Lake Chad region.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, the Acting Military Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, said the identities of the wanted terrorists were uncovered through forensic analysis of technical devices and other intelligence materials recovered during a recent offensive against the group.
Among those declared wanted are Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa, identified as the Wali (Governor) of ISWAP; his deputy and Amirul Jaish, Muhammad Jidda, also known as “The One-Handed Man”; and Hamad Abu Hanifa, the group’s Amirul-Fiya.
According to the Army, Abu Musa Al-Mangawi Baa Shuwa remains the most wanted ISWAP leader operating within the Lake Chad Basin.
The statement noted that troops recovered several high-value intelligence materials, including a camcorder allegedly used by ISWAP members to record propaganda videos and document operational activities.
Subsequent forensic exploitation of the recovered devices reportedly generated actionable intelligence, leading to the identification of terrorist locations and senior operatives operating along the Mangari–Metele–Dogon Chukun axis on the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin in Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas of Borno State.
The Army announced that a substantial financial reward would be offered to anyone whose credible and actionable information leads directly to the arrest of Abu Musa or the other wanted suspects.
It assured members of the public that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality and that the identities of informants would be fully protected in line with established security procedures.
Operation Hadin Kai also urged Nigerians to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by providing credible and timely information to security agencies through established reporting channels.
The military, however, cautioned members of the public against attempting to confront or apprehend the suspects themselves, advising that any relevant information should instead be reported to security authorities.