Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected Sudanese foreign terrorist fighter and an alleged illegal immigrant from Ghana during a security operation in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The arrests were made on Saturday, July 19, 2026, by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion, Sector 4 Operation HADIN KAI, during an intelligence driven operation in Lassa, Dille General Area.
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According to a statement issued on Monday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni, the operation led to the arrest of 32 year old Musa Fashir, a Sudanese national suspected of being a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator.
The military said preliminary intelligence indicates that the suspect has links with terrorist elements operating in the North East, raising concerns about the involvement of foreign actors in supporting insurgency in the region.
“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,” the statement said.
Troops also arrested 36 year old Mary Florence, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana.
The military said investigations were ongoing to verify her identity, establish the circumstances surrounding her presence in the area and determine the authenticity of her claims.
Both suspects are currently in military custody, where they are undergoing profiling and interrogation to determine the extent of their activities and establish any possible links to terrorist groups or transnational criminal networks.
Operation HADIN KAI said the arrests underscore the effectiveness of its intelligence driven operations in disrupting terrorist activities and preventing the infiltration of foreign fighters into Nigeria.
The military also reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling terrorist logistics, financing and support networks across the North East.
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“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,” the statement added.
The military urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to restoring lasting peace and security in the North East.
