Nigeria's military targets ISWAP leaders and bombmakers in Borno operations

The Nigerian army announced that senior commanders of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) are now wanted after forensic analysis of electronic devices recovered during recent combat in Borno's Lake Chad region. Acting spokesperson Captain Mohammed Goni identified Abu Musa Al‑Mangawi Baa Shuwa as the group's Wali, deputy Muhammad Jidda – known as “The One‑Handed Man” – and field commander Hamad Abu Hanifa, offering a financial reward for information leading to their arrest.

In a separate incident, a premature explosion in Maina Daya village, Marte Local Government Area, killed five ISWAP operatives, including medical officer Usman Dan Fulani, two foreign Arab IED technicians and two bomb‑making experts. The blast, linked to the group's preparation of roadside bombs along the Marte‑Monguno axis, is seen as a setback to ISWAP’s IED network. Military forces under Operation Hadin Kai have intensified patrols and precision strikes in the affected districts to prevent the group from rebuilding its capabilities.