Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a Nigerian Army soldier who had been declared wanted over his alleged involvement in supplying military uniforms and other military items to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.
The arrest is seen as a major breakthrough in the military’s efforts to stop insider support for terrorist groups that have continued to fuel insecurity in the region.
Security sources said the suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility (NAOTF), Lagos, was arrested at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
He was apprehended by troops of the 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander after an intelligence-led operation in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to the sources, the soldier had earlier been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army after allegedly supplying military uniforms and other military accoutrements to terrorist elements operating in the North-East.
Preliminary investigations revealed that before he was declared wanted, Yusuf allegedly abandoned his duty post and absconded from his unit. He reportedly travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, 2026, where he went into hiding to evade arrest.
Further investigations allegedly showed that he was sheltered at Gomari Costain in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by another soldier, identified as 25NA/89/12687 Private Baba Kamal Sale of the Corps of Intelligence, Dikwa.
Security sources said troops acted on credible intelligence that helped them trace the suspect’s movements.
The 7 Provost Group reportedly placed Yusuf under round-the-clock surveillance for several days before moving in to arrest him.
He was eventually intercepted at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri while allegedly attempting to escape across the border into neighbouring Cameroon.
Military sources said the suspect offered no resistance during the operation and was immediately taken into custody for interrogation.
He is currently being held by the 7 Provost Group, where investigators are questioning him over his alleged role in supplying military uniforms and equipment to terrorist groups.
The investigation is also expected to determine whether other serving or former security personnel were involved in the alleged illegal operation.
According to the security source, investigators are working to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities, identify possible collaborators and uncover any wider network supporting terrorist groups from within the security system.
“The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where he is undergoing further investigation into the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the possible involvement of other collaborators,” the source said.
The source described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks believed to be assisting terrorist groups in the North-East.
Military authorities have repeatedly warned that anyone found aiding terrorists, whether serving personnel or civilians, would face the full weight of the law.
The Nigerian military has in recent years intensified internal monitoring to identify personnel accused of leaking operational information, diverting military equipment or collaborating with criminal and terrorist groups.
Operation HADIN KAI, which leads the counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East, has continued to combine offensive operations against Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) with intelligence-driven missions aimed at disrupting their supply chains and support networks.
The use of stolen or illegally obtained military uniforms has also been linked to attacks on communities, highways and military formations in parts of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, where insurgents have remained active despite sustained military operations.
The latest arrest is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts by the military to prevent sensitive equipment and uniforms from falling into the hands of terrorist groups.
It also highlights the growing role of intelligence gathering and surveillance in tracking suspects accused of undermining national security from within the armed forces.
Military authorities have not yet announced when the suspect will be formally charged, but investigations are continuing as security agencies seek to determine the full scope of the alleged network and ensure that anyone connected to the case is brought to justice.