Troops arrest suspected Sudanese terrorist, Ghanaian woman in Borno

Nigeria’s military says troops fighting insurgency in the North-East have arrested two foreign nationals in Borno State, including a Sudanese man suspected of collaborating with terrorists.

The arrests were made by personnel of the 115 Task Force Battalion under Operation Hadin Kai during a security operation in the Lassa, Dille general area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, said the operation formed part of intelligence-led efforts aimed at disrupting terrorist activities and preventing foreign infiltration into the region.

According to him, the Sudanese suspect, identified as 32-year-old Musa Fashir, is believed to have links with terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

The statement read: “Troops of Sector 4, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), while sustaining aggressive counter-terrorism operations across the North-East theatre, have apprehended another foreign terrorist fighter and an alleged illegal immigrant during a security operation in Lassa, Dille General Area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Borno State.”

Goni added: “During the operation, troops arrested one Musa Fashir, a 32-year-old Sudanese national suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator. Preliminary intelligence indicates that the suspect has established links with terrorist elements, further highlighting attempts by foreign actors to support insurgent activities in the region.”

He disclosed that the troops also detained a 36-year-old woman, Mary Florence, who identified herself as a Ghanaian national residing in Nigeria illegally.

“Troops also apprehended Mary Florence, 36, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana. The circumstances surrounding her presence in the area, as well as the authenticity of her claims, are currently under investigation,” Goni said.

The military spokesman stated that both individuals remain in custody while investigators verify their identities, examine their activities and determine whether they have connections with terrorist organisations or other transnational criminal networks.

According to him, the arrests underscore the impact of intelligence-driven operations in tracking down terrorist collaborators and preventing the movement of foreign fighters into the country.

“The successful arrests further demonstrate the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai’s intelligence-driven operations and the vigilance of troops in denying terrorists and their collaborators freedom of action,” he said.

He added that the operation reflects the military’s determination to dismantle terrorist logistics and support structures across the North-East.

“Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mandate to neutralise terrorists and dismantle their logistics, financing and support networks.

“Members of the public are encouraged to sustain their support by providing timely and credible information to security agencies, as collective vigilance remains critical to the restoration of lasting peace, security and stability in the North-East,” he added.