Troops arrest another suspected foreign terror collaborator in Borno

Troops of Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) 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, while sustaining aggressive counter-terrorism operations across the North East Theatre.

In a statement on Monday, Mohammad Goni, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai, told journalists on Monday.

According to Goni, he is in military custody, undergoing profiling and interrogation to establish his identity and determine the extent of his activities.

“The operation was carried out by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion at about 11:48 a.m. on 19 July 2026 as part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations in the North East Theatre.”

“During the operation, troops arrested one Musa Fashir, a 32-year-old Sudanese national suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator,” the statement reads in part.

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According to him, 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 said, “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.”

Both suspects are in military custody undergoing preliminary 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 explained that 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 the operation also highlights the theatre’s unwavering commitment to disrupting terrorist support networks, preventing the infiltration of foreign fighters, and safeguarding communities across the North East.