Military Places ₦60 Million Bounty on Top ISWAP Commanders After Lake Chad Intel Breakthrough

The Nigerian military has identified dozens of high-ranking Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) commanders following a major intelligence breakthrough in the Lake Chad region of Borno State, offering a combined ₦60 million reward for information leading to the capture of the group’s two most wanted leaders.

The breakthrough followed a series of successful counter-terrorism operations by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in northern Borno. According to military authorities, forensic examination of recovered technical devices, including a propaganda camcorder and digital communication equipment, exposed the identities, hideouts, and command structure of several senior insurgents.

Following the intelligence haul, the military released public wanted posters featuring photographs and aliases of at least 38 suspected ISWAP commanders active across the Mangari, Metele, and Dogon Chukun axes within Abadam and Kukawa Local Government Areas. Among those highlighted is a high-value target designated as Abu Musa Al-Barnawi Baashuwa, alongside dozens of other field commanders identified by various aliases.

As part of the intensified offensive, separate cash rewards have been announced for two key commanders. A ₦10 million bounty is offered for information leading to the arrest of Muhammad Jidda, an ISWAP commander of the Jaish Unit. Additionally, a ₦50 million reward has been placed on Ibn Muhammad, identified as a commander of the Amniyya internal security and intelligence unit.

The military has urged residents of Borno State and surrounding regions to remain vigilant and provide credible, timely intelligence to security agencies, assuring informants of strict confidentiality as operations continue to dismantle remaining insurgent cells in the region.