Troops Arrest Suspected Foreign Terrorist, Illegal Immigrant in Borno
Troops of Sector 4, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested a suspected foreign terrorist fighter and an alleged illegal immigrant during a security operation in the Lassa, Dille General Area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The arrest was made by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion on July 19 as part of ongoing intelligence-led counter-terrorism operations across the North-East. The military said the operation underscores its sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent the infiltration of foreign fighters into the region.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammad Goni, said troops apprehended Musa Fashir, a 32-year-old Sudanese national, who is suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator.
According to Goni, preliminary intelligence indicates that the suspect has established links with terrorist elements operating in the region, raising concerns over the involvement of foreign actors in supporting insurgency activities in the North-East.
The troops also arrested Mary Florence, a 36-year-old woman who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana. Military authorities said the circumstances surrounding her presence in the area, as well as the authenticity of her claims, are currently being investigated.
Both suspects are currently in military custody undergoing profiling and interrogation to establish their identities, determine the extent of their activities and ascertain whether they have links to terrorist groups or other transnational criminal networks.
Goni said the successful operation further demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations being conducted by Operation Hadin Kai and the vigilance of troops in denying terrorists and their collaborators freedom of movement.
He added that the military remains committed to disrupting terrorist support networks, preventing the infiltration of foreign fighters and safeguarding communities across the North-East as part of ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security in the region.