Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested six suspected collaborators of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State, while the wife and 11-year-old son of a senior ISWAP finance operative have surrendered to the military as ongoing counter-terrorism operations intensify in the North-East.

The Nigerian Army, in a statement signed on Friday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, said the breakthroughs were recorded during separate intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics and financial networks across the theatre of operation.

According to the military, troops of the 5 Brigade arrested the six suspects in Damasak on July 27 following intelligence reports linking them to ISWAP’s financing activities.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly generated funds for the terrorist group through the procurement and sale of cattle at designated markets in Gubio, Damasak and Ajuwango.

Items recovered from the suspects included a Volkswagen Golf car, vehicle keys, four mobile phones, cow meat and N317,950 in cash.

The Army said the suspects remain in military custody and are undergoing further investigation.

In a related development, troops of the 3 Battalion received the surrender of the wife and 11-year-old son of a senior ISWAP commander through Kusuma Village on July 29.

Military authorities said preliminary findings revealed that the woman’s husband, who reportedly served as ISWAP’s Chief Finance Officer in Jubillaram, had earlier surrendered to troops on July 25 after escaping from the terrorist enclave.

According to the Army, the surrendered commander subsequently instructed his wife to surrender with their son.

The military added that both mother and child had been screened and are currently undergoing further profiling in line with established procedures.

Meanwhile, troops of the 145 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a clearance operation at Turoh, forcing terrorists to abandon the area.

The Army said the fleeing insurgents escaped on sighting the advancing troops, leaving behind two motorcycles and large quantities of illicit hard drugs, which were recovered during the exploitation of the location.

Reaffirming its commitment to ongoing counter-insurgency operations, Operation HADIN KAI said troops would continue to intensify intelligence-driven offensives to dismantle terrorist logistics and financial networks across the North-East.

The military also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing operations aimed at restoring lasting peace, security and stability in the region.