The Nigerian Army has confirmed the killing of a senior terrorist commander, Mohammed Khalifa, and the surrender of two high-ranking commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province, identified as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar, to troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State.

The Acting Media Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Haruna Sani, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to Sani, the two commanders surrendered to troops on June 8, 2026.

He said they occupied strategic positions within the terrorist hierarchy and operated in the Mangari axis of the Lake Chad region.

The statement read, “Operation Hadin Kai has recorded another significant success in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign following the surrender of two high-profile Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders to troops on 8 June 2026.

“The surrendered terrorists, identified as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar, are currently in military custody and undergoing appropriate profiling and debriefing procedures.”

Sani said one of the surrendered commanders, Ismail Mohammed, was a close associate of senior ISWAP leader Baa Shuwa and possessed extensive knowledge of the group’s command structure and operations.

“The second individual, Abu Umar, was widely known within the terrorist network as a skilled explosives specialist with responsibilities linked to the fabrication and maintenance of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and other combat-support equipment used by the terrorists,” he added.

The military spokesperson further stated that preliminary interrogation revealed that another senior terrorist commander, Mohammed Khalifa, a member of the ISWAP Shura Council, was killed during joint operations conducted by Operation Hadin Kai.

According to him, the surrender of the two commanders represented a major setback for the terrorist organisation, given their experience, influence and technical expertise acquired over several years within the insurgent network.

“Their decision to flee and surrender further underscores the effectiveness of sustained offensive operations by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, complemented by precision engagements conducted with the support of allied partners against terrorist enclaves across the theatre,” he said.

Sani noted that sustained military pressure had continued to degrade terrorist capabilities, weaken operational networks and compel increasing numbers of insurgents to surrender.

“This development further demonstrates the growing desperation and declining morale within terrorist ranks as relentless military pressure continues to deny them freedom of action and safe havens.

“It also reinforces the effectiveness of ongoing efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist leadership structures and disrupting their operational capabilities,” he said.

He added that Operation Hadin Kai remained committed to maintaining pressure on terrorist elements across the region.

“The military will continue to exploit all available opportunities to dismantle terrorist networks and restore lasting stability to affected communities,” he assured. (The PUNCH)

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