A top Commander of the Islamic State of the West Africa Province (ISWAP) identified as Musa Mani, has surrendered to the troops of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) following intensified joint operations on the fringes of the Lake Chad.

A Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in Lake Chad, Zagazola Makama, disclosed this via Twitter on Saturday, May 28. 

According to Makama, the 43-year-old suspect surrendered to troops of the task force in Damasak and Malam Fatori.

Sources told Makama the surrendered Commander of Hisbah Militant (civil police) was in charge of supervising activities of the insurgents with a view to ensuring right conduct as well as controlling logistics supplies, tax and levies being paid by fishermen and farmers in the Lake Chad.

Mani, who hails from Diffa in Niger Republic, confessed that the ongoing offensive by troops of Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Lake Sani made him escape and surrender.

"The suspects told troops that dozens of fighters had died while many have escaped due to the fear of being killed," Makama said.

"However, a Preliminary investigation revealed that he is a high profile member of the terrorist group. The suspect is currently undergoing profiling in troops’ custody,” he added.