The Nigerian Army has arrested a Sudanese national suspected of being a foreign terrorist fighter and a Ghanaian woman alleged to be an illegal immigrant during a counter-terrorism operation in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The arrests, carried out by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, came as the military intensified intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting terrorist networks and preventing the infiltration of foreign collaborators into Nigeria’s Northeast.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammad Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the statement, troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion arrested the two foreign nationals at about 11:48 a.m. on July 19, 2026, in Lassa, Dille General Area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
The statement identified the first suspect as 32-year-old Musa Fashir, a Sudanese national, who is suspected of being a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator.
“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,” Goni said.
The military also arrested 36-year-old Mary Florence, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana.
“Troops also apprehended Mary Florence, 36 years old, 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,” the statement added.
According to the Army, both suspects are in military custody undergoing profiling and interrogation to establish their identities, determine the extent of their activities and ascertain any possible links to terrorist or transnational criminal networks.
Goni said the arrests underscored the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai’s intelligence-driven operations and the vigilance of troops in denying terrorists and their collaborators freedom of movement.
“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 said.
West Trybe reports that security agencies have continued to intensify intelligence-led operations across Nigeria’s Northeast to disrupt terrorist networks, prevent cross-border infiltration and strengthen security in communities affected by insurgency.
