Wanted Soldier Arrested While Allegedly Fleeing to Cameroon Over Terror Links–Army

Wanted Soldier Arrested While Allegedly Fleeing to Cameroon Over Terror Links–Army

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have arrested a serving soldier who was recently declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in supplying military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements operating in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

The suspect, identified as Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, was apprehended by troops of the 7 Provost Group of Operation Hadin Kai at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri, Borno State, while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon.

The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, who said the operation followed credible human intelligence.

According to the military, Yusuf was arrested at about 6:30 p.m. on July 25, 2026, two days after he was officially declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over allegations of illegally supplying military uniforms and other military items to terrorists and criminal groups.

Captain Goni disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated the suspect had absconded from his unit on July 7, 2026, before relocating to Maiduguri, where he allegedly went into hiding in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area with the assistance of an associate.

He said the arrest forms part of the military’s sustained efforts to dismantle criminal support networks aiding insurgents in the Northeast.

“The arrest underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the Nigerian Army’s commitment to holding personnel accountable for actions that undermine military ethics, discipline and national security,” Goni said.

He added that the suspect remains in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where investigators are working to determine the full extent of his alleged activities and identify any accomplices.

The military reiterated that no individual, regardless of rank or status, would be shielded from justice if found to be supporting terrorism or other criminal activities.

Captain Goni also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that public cooperation remains vital to ongoing counter-insurgency efforts and the restoration of lasting peace across the Northeast.

The arrest comes days after the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps publicly declared Private Yusuf wanted. In a statement issued on Thursday, Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Corps Headquarters, Major Oluwatope Aluko, said preliminary investigations linked the soldier to the alleged illegal sale and supply of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements after he absconded from his unit.

The Army had stated that intensive efforts were underway to apprehend the soldier to face a comprehensive investigation and appropriate disciplinary action in line with existing military laws.

The latest development highlights the Nigerian Army’s renewed determination to strengthen internal accountability while intensifying efforts to disrupt logistics and supply chains that sustain insurgent activities in the Northeast.