Troops arrest suspected foreign ISIS operative after foiled ISWAP attack in Borno

Nigerian military troop

Troops arrest suspected foreign ISIS operative after foiled ISWAP attack in Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected foreign terrorist believed to have links with the Islamic State (ISIS) following the successful repulsion of a coordinated ISWAP attack on Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The arrest followed an intelligence-led military operation launched after soldiers foiled the attack by Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, forcing the insurgents to retreat while abandoning weapons, communication gadgets and other operational equipment.

Military sources said troops immediately launched exploitation operations along the escape routes used by the fleeing terrorists, leading to the recovery of high-frequency hand-held radios, communication devices and other materials believed to have been used during the failed assault.

Intelligence gathered from the recovered equipment enabled security forces to expand the operation into the Lake Chad Islands axis and Abadam Local Government Area, where further searches were conducted as troops pursued the fleeing insurgents.

The operation eventually led to the arrest of a foreign suspect believed to be of Moroccan origin and suspected of maintaining links with the wider ISIS terrorist network.

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According to security sources, the suspect had already come under intelligence scrutiny after investigators analysed footage retrieved from a Sony camcorder recovered from a suspected terrorist media operative who was killed during the failed attack on Cross Kauwa.

The footage was reportedly subjected to forensic examination with the support of international partners, providing intelligence that helped identify the suspect and track his movements before his eventual arrest.

Preliminary intelligence also suggested the possible involvement of other foreign terrorist facilitators linked to the operation. Investigators are examining reports indicating that foreign nationals may have provided support in areas including training, medical services, communications, media operations and strategic planning. However, security agencies said investigations remain ongoing and no final conclusions have been reached.

Following his arrest, the suspect was airlifted by a Nigerian Air Force helicopter to a secure military facility, where he is currently undergoing interrogation by intelligence officers.

Investigators are seeking to establish his precise role within the terrorist organisation, how he entered Nigeria, his level of involvement with ISIS and ISWAP, as well as whether he participated in operational planning, recruitment, propaganda, logistics or combat activities.

Security officials described the arrest as a major intelligence breakthrough that could provide valuable information on the financing, recruitment networks, operational structure and international connections of terrorist groups operating across the Lake Chad Basin.

The latest development has renewed concerns about the continued involvement of foreign nationals in supporting extremist groups operating in Nigeria and neighbouring countries. Although ISWAP primarily recruits fighters from communities within the Lake Chad region, intelligence reports over the years have pointed to the presence of foreign facilitators providing specialised expertise, communications support, explosives training, medical assistance and strategic coordination.

Military authorities believe intelligence obtained from the suspect could help identify additional terrorist cells, expose cross-border infiltration routes, uncover logistics networks and strengthen ongoing counter-terrorism operations across Nigeria’s North-East and the wider Lake Chad region.

The arrest comes as Operation HADIN KAI sustains intensified offensive operations against terrorist strongholds in Borno State, targeting insurgent commanders, logistics bases and supply routes in an effort to prevent terrorists from regrouping and re-establishing camps.

In recent months, troops have recorded a series of operational successes, including the elimination of terrorist fighters, the recovery of arms and ammunition, the arrest of suspected collaborators and the destruction of insurgent logistics networks.

Military authorities said interrogation of the suspect is continuing and declined to release further operational details, stressing that the investigation remains active and that additional intelligence obtained from the suspect could significantly enhance ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks operating within the Lake Chad Basin and across Nigeria.