Troops Nab Terror Suspects, Arrest Armed Civilians, Detain Foreign National in Fresh Northeast Security Sweep

Troops Nab Terror Suspects, Arrest Armed Civilians, Detain Foreign National in Fresh Northeast Security Sweep

By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri

Troops from the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have achieved several security successes in Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa states by arresting suspected members of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), catching armed civilians connected to a deadly shooting, and detaining a suspected foreign national under unclear circumstances.

The operations, carried out by troops of Sectors 2 and 4 over the weekend, underscore renewed military pressure on insurgents and criminal elements operating within the North-East theatre.

In one of the major operations, troops arrested six suspected terrorists and logistics suppliers in the Geidam and Mubi North areas of Yobe and Adamawa states while also neutralising two insurgents along the Ngoshe–Pulka axis of the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

Confirming the development in Maiduguri, the Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, said the troops sustained offensive operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements across the theatre between March 31 and April 4, 2026.

According to him, the coordinated operations led to the disruption of insurgent logistics networks and the arrest of several suspects believed to be aiding terrorist movements and supplies.

Military sources said the troops, acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with local security volunteers, intercepted the suspects in separate operations, while follow-up actions are ongoing to uncover wider terrorist support networks.

In a related development, OPHK also arrested five suspects in connection with the alleged illegal possession and discharge of firearms in the Ngomari Old Airport area of Maiduguri, an incident that reportedly led to the death of an innocent resident from stray bullets.

The military said the suspects were linked to the unlawful use of firearms during a social event in the community, prompting swift intervention by security personnel after the incident triggered outrage among residents.

Lt Col. Uba said the Theatre Command had taken decisive steps following the incident, stressing that investigations had already commenced to determine the full circumstances surrounding the tragic shooting.

He noted that the command would not tolerate reckless use of firearms or any action capable of endangering civilian lives, adding that those found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

Security officials said the suspects are currently being interrogated, while efforts are being intensified to trace the source of the weapons allegedly used during the event.

In another security development, troops of the 233 Tank Battalion operating along the Damaturu–Potiskum Motorway in Yobe State arrested a suspected foreign national identified as Abdulrazak Muhammad, 31, during a routine stop-and-search operation.

A military source said the suspect was intercepted in the early hours of April 3 at a checkpoint and found in possession of three mobile phones without SIM cards, a notebook and a small amount of foreign currency.

According to the source, the suspect, who allegedly claimed to be a Ghanaian from Accra, could not provide any valid means of identification at the time of arrest.

The source added that during preliminary questioning, the suspect reportedly gave conflicting accounts about his identity, nationality, and travel history, claiming ties to Ghana, Mali, and Nigeria at different times.

He was also said to have appeared confused when asked to explain his destination and purpose of travel, raising further suspicion among security personnel.

Military authorities said the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue to determine his true identity, his movement patterns, and whether his presence may have wider security implications.

The latest arrests and operations come amid intensified efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to tighten security across the North-East and sustain pressure on insurgent groups, criminal collaborators and other suspicious actors threatening peace in the region.

Security analysts say the developments reflect a growing emphasis not only on direct combat operations but also on intelligence-led arrests, community surveillance and pre-emptive action aimed at disrupting terror logistics and preventing avoidable civilian casualties.