Nigerian Troops Arrest Suspected Sudanese Terrorist, Ghanaian Illegal Immigrant, Two Alleged ISWAP Logistics Suppliers
Nigerian Troops Arrest Suspected Sudanese Terrorist, Ghanaian Illegal Immigrant, Two Alleged ISWAP Logistics Suppliers
The second suspect, identified as 36-year-old Mary Florence, reportedly told investigators during preliminary questioning that she is an illegal immigrant from Ghana.
The Nigerian military has intensified efforts to dismantle suspected cross-border terrorist networks in the North-East following the arrest of a suspected foreign terrorist fighter, a woman who allegedly identified herself as an illegal immigrant from Ghana, and two brothers accused of supplying logistics to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during separate operations in Borno State.
The suspects were arrested by troops of Operation HADIN KAI on July 19 during operations in Askira/Uba and Damboa Local Government Areas. The arrests have raised fresh security concerns over the possible involvement of foreign nationals and local logistics suppliers in supporting and sustaining insurgent activities across the region.
Sources told security analyst and counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama that personnel of the 115 Task Force Battalion operating in the Lassa–Dilli general area arrested two foreign suspects at about 11:48 a.m. during a routine security operation in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, an area that has witnessed sustained military offensives against insurgent groups.
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According to the sources, the first suspect was identified as 32-year-old Musa Fashir, who is alleged to be a Sudanese national suspected of having links to terrorist elements operating in Nigeria’s North-East.
The second suspect, identified as 36-year-old Mary Florence, reportedly told investigators during preliminary questioning that she is an illegal immigrant from Ghana.
Security sources said both individuals were immediately taken into military custody following their arrest and are currently undergoing preliminary investigations aimed at establishing their true identities, immigration status and determining whether they have any direct or indirect connections to terrorist organisations operating in the region.
The arrest has heightened security interest in the possible involvement of foreign nationals in insurgent activities, as security agencies continue to monitor the movement of suspected fighters across Nigeria’s porous borders.
Military authorities are also examining the circumstances surrounding the suspects’ presence in the operational area and whether they may have been working with local terrorist cells or providing logistical support to insurgent groups.
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In a separate operation on the same day, troops of the 19 Battalion (Mechanised) and 25 Task Force Brigade Garrison arrested two brothers suspected of supplying logistics to ISWAP terrorists during a farm protection patrol in the Nzuda general area of Damboa Local Government Area.
Intelligence sources said the suspects, identified as Audu Abdullahi, 25, and Shettima Abdullahi, 30, both natives of Kasabalari village in Damboa LGA, were intercepted at about 10:30 a.m.
According to the sources, preliminary investigation revealed that the two suspects, who are biological brothers, were transporting supplies intended for suspected ISWAP fighters operating in the Wajiroko general area.
Items recovered from the suspects included two bicycles, one mobile phone with two SIM cards, an identity card, two bicycle tyres and tubes, six containers of Force Up pesticide, painkiller medication, a small solar panel, a rechargeable torchlight with battery, two locally made knives and other assorted items.
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The suspects and the recovered exhibits are currently in military custody for further investigation.
Military sources said the two separate operations have reinforced concerns that terrorist groups continue to rely on both foreign links and local logistics suppliers to sustain their operations in the North-East.
Although investigators have yet to announce any formal charges against the foreign suspects, military sources stressed that the ongoing investigation is expected to provide more clarity on the backgrounds of all the suspects and the nature of their activities.
According to the sources, intelligence officers are conducting extensive profiling, document verification and other investigative procedures as part of efforts to establish whether the foreign suspects have any previous criminal or terrorist records either within or outside Nigeria, while investigators are also examining possible links between the arrested logistics suppliers and insurgent cells.
The development comes as Operation HADIN KAI continues to sustain coordinated military operations across Borno and other parts of the North-East aimed at dismantling terrorist enclaves, intercepting suspected collaborators and preventing insurgent movements.
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Military sources said the arrest of the two brothers formed part of ongoing farm protection operations and sustained efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics networks supporting insurgent activities in the North-East.
They added that the security situation across the theatre remains relatively calm but unpredictable, while troops continue to maintain a high level of operational readiness and pressure on terrorist elements.
In recent months, troops have intensified clearance operations, intelligence-driven raids and patrols across several frontline communities as part of broader efforts to degrade the operational capacity of terrorist groups and improve security in the region.
Military sources also told Zagazola that the latest arrests underscore the importance of continuous surveillance and intelligence gathering in identifying individuals suspected of infiltrating communities under the guise of migration or supporting insurgents through logistics and supplies.
The sources added that security agencies remain committed to strengthening border security and working with relevant authorities to prevent the infiltration of foreign fighters into Nigeria while dismantling local support networks that sustain terrorist operations.
Military sources further noted that additional information would be made available as the investigations progress, explaining that the operations form part of sustained efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt terrorist networks, identify foreign fighters, intercept logistics suppliers and reinforce security across the North-East.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains essential in ongoing efforts to combat insurgency and prevent terrorist activities in the region.
The four suspects remain in military custody as investigations continue. No official statement has yet been issued on whether additional arrests have been made in connection with the operations.
