Army arrests wanted soldier over alleged supply of military gear to terrorists

Army arrests wanted soldier over alleged supply of military gear to terrorists

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a serving Nigerian Army soldier who had been declared wanted for allegedly supplying military accoutrements and other operational items to terrorist groups operating in Nigeria’s North-East.

The suspect, identified as Private Mohammed Yusuf (service number 23NA/84/1939) of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility (NAOTF), Lagos, was apprehended on July 25, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation carried out by personnel of the 7 Provost Group in Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to security sources, the operation was the culmination of weeks of surveillance after intelligence reports linked the soldier to the alleged diversion of military equipment to terrorist elements.

Investigators said the suspect allegedly abandoned his duty post before travelling to Maiduguri on July 7, shortly after he was declared wanted by military authorities.

Rather than reporting to his assigned unit, he reportedly went into hiding while allegedly maintaining contact with individuals suspected of supporting terrorist logistics networks in the region.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the soldier was allegedly sheltered at Gomari Costain in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by another serving soldier, Private Baba Kamal Sale (service number 25NA/89/12687) of the Corps of Intelligence.

Military authorities have launched investigations into the second soldier to determine the extent of his alleged involvement in the case.

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Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the 7 Provost Group mounted continuous surveillance before intercepting Private Yusuf at Jidari Bus Stop, where he was reportedly attempting to cross into Cameroon.

The suspect was arrested without incident and is currently being held in military custody.

According to security sources, investigators are interrogating the soldier over allegations that he supplied military accoutrements, uniforms and other operational materials to terrorist groups, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram.

The ongoing investigation is also focused on identifying possible collaborators within and outside the military, uncovering financial transactions linked to the alleged activities and dismantling any logistics networks supporting insurgent operations.

Military officials believe intelligence obtained from the suspect could help expose supply routes used to move military materials to terrorists and reveal individuals facilitating such operations.

The arrest comes as Operation HADIN KAI intensifies coordinated land and air offensives across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, targeting terrorist enclaves and disrupting insurgent activities.

In recent months, troops have recorded significant operational successes, including the neutralisation of terrorist commanders, destruction of camps, recovery of arms and ammunition, rescue of kidnapped victims and the surrender of dozens of insurgents and their family members.

Security experts have consistently warned that insider collaboration remains one of the major threats to counter-insurgency operations, noting that the diversion of military equipment can significantly enhance the operational capabilities of terrorist groups.

They say identifying and dismantling insider networks is critical to protecting military personnel, safeguarding operational intelligence and weakening terrorist logistics.

Military authorities reiterated that the Nigerian Army maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward personnel involved in misconduct, corruption or collaboration with criminal and terrorist organisations.

They stressed that any officer or soldier found undermining national security would face disciplinary measures and prosecution in accordance with the Armed Forces Act and other applicable laws.

The Army also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, saying community support remains vital to ongoing counter-terrorism efforts across the North-East.

Investigations into the case are continuing as security agencies work to determine the full extent of the alleged network and ensure that all individuals connected to the diversion of military materials are brought to justice.

Army arrests wanted soldier over alleged supply of military gear to terrorists