Borno: ISWAP Militant's Wife and Baby Give Up to Soldiers

In Borno State's Kukawa Local Government Area, a woman identified as Falmata Bakwai, reportedly the spouse of an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) combatant, has turned herself in to soldiers from Operation Hadin Kai, accompanied by her two-month-old infant. Falmata Bakwai presented herself to the 19 Brigade troops stationed at Cross Kauwa around 10:15 a.m. on June 26, 2026.

She disclosed that her escape from the ISWAP stronghold in Dogon Chuku occurred when her husband and other militants were absent from the encampment. During initial questioning, she informed the military personnel that the dire living conditions within the terrorist hideout, marked by acute scarcity of food and essential provisions, forced her to seek refuge. According to Falmata, these worsening circumstances were a direct result of ongoing military "strangulation" operations and relentless aerial bombardments aimed at dislodging terrorist strongholds.

Following her surrender, both Falmata and her baby have been placed in quarantine and are receiving necessary medical care, adhering to standard operational protocols. Military officials confirmed that her debriefing is still underway. Plans are in motion to relocate her to the Headquarters of Sector 3, Operation Hadin Kai/Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), where she will undergo more extensive investigation and profiling.

Sources within the security apparatus commented that this incident underscores the persistent pressure exerted on terrorist havens through synchronized ground and aerial offensives across the entire North-East region.