The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed that a top commander of the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), identified as Ibn Ali, has voluntarily surrendered to Nigerian troops in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, along with a cache of arms and ammunition.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed this in a statement released Saturday in Abuja. He said the surrender was part of a series of major operational gains recorded by the Armed Forces between July 4 and July 10.

According to Kangye, the troops of Operation Hadin Kai carried out multiple operations across key terrorist strongholds such as Platari, Sambisa Forest, and the Timbuktu Triangle, killing dozens of insurgents. In addition to Ibn Ali’s surrender, numerous other terrorists—men, women, and children—laid down their arms as military pressure mounted.

He noted that combat operations also took place in Gwoza, Kaga, Mafa, Ngala, Abadam, Bama, Biu, Konduga, Damboa, and Dikwa LGAs in Borno State, and Madagali LGA in Adamawa State. These operations led to the elimination of several terrorists, arrest of five collaborators, and rescue of four kidnapped victims.

Troops also recovered various arms and ammunition, safely detonated several improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and seized N822,500 in cash believed to be linked to terrorist operations.

In the North West, the Air Component of Operation Fansan Yamma, in coordination with ground forces, conducted precision airstrikes on July 10 that reportedly neutralized several high-ranking terrorists in Zamfara State. During further operations, troops killed additional insurgents, arrested five suspects, and rescued two kidnapped victims.

In the North Central region, troops under Operation Safe Haven intensified clearance operations in Plateau State, neutralizing violent extremists, arresting 18 suspects, and rescuing seven abducted individuals. Weapons, ammunition, and vehicles—including motorcycles—were recovered. On July 6, troops on routine patrol arrested an armed militia member in an ambush position along the Kafi-Abu-Rakwok road in Barkin Ladi LGA. Items recovered from him included a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and 30 rounds of ammunition.

Elsewhere, troops of Operation Whirl Stroke carried out successful raids in Benue and Taraba States. Extremists were killed in Makurdi, Guma, and Katsina-Ala LGAs of Benue and in Karim Lamido, Takum, and Jalingo LGAs of Taraba. Eight suspects were arrested and two kidnapped victims were rescued during the operations.

In the Niger Delta, troops of Operation Delta Safe disrupted oil theft operations valued at over ₦263.8 million. The operations led to the recovery of 198,482 litres of stolen crude oil, 63,846 litres of illegally refined diesel, and 947 litres of petrol. The troops also destroyed 24 crude oil cooking ovens, 26 dugout pits, 15 illegal refining sites, nine boats, and multiple storage tanks and drums. Eight suspects were apprehended, and weapons and vehicles were seized.

In the South East, troops of Operation UDO KA arrested a key sponsor and logistics supplier of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) linked to the Mother Valley Camp in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State. Four additional suspects and informants were also arrested in Ihiala and Ehime Mbano LGAs of Anambra and Imo States, respectively.

Major General Kangye reiterated the Armed Forces’ continued commitment to degrading all forms of threats through coordinated kinetic and non-kinetic strategies across all regions of the country.