Following intense combined operations on the outskirts of Lake Chad, Mani surrendered to forces from the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF).

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert, the ISWAP leader surrendered to forces in the Lake Chad region’s Damasak and Malam Fatori villages.

Mani, he added, was the Commander of Hisbah Militant (civil police), who was in charge of overseeing insurgent activities and ensuring proper conduct.

The suspect, who hails from Diffa in Niger Republic, was also in charge of controlling logistics supplies, taxes, and levies being paid by fishermen and farmers in Lake Chad.

Mani confessed that the ongoing offensive by troops of Operation Hadin Kai and Operation Lake Sani was behind his decision to escape and surrender.

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

“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,” Makama said vis his Twitter page on Saturday.