…Army says suspect was caught while allegedly fleeing to Cameroon
Malik Yahya/
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a Nigerian Army soldier declared wanted over allegations that he illegally supplied military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements.
The suspect, identified as Private Mohammed Yusuf (23NA/84/1939) of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, Lagos, was apprehended at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri, Borno State, at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the arrest followed credible human intelligence received by troops of the 7 Provost Group.
Yusuf had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army on July 23 over allegations that he was involved in the illegal supply of military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements.
Military authorities said the soldier was allegedly attempting to flee Nigeria for the Republic of Cameroon when troops closed in on him at the Maiduguri bus stop, ending a manhunt launched after he was declared wanted.
Preliminary investigation, according to the statement, indicated that Yusuf had absconded from his unit on July 7 before relocating to Maiduguri.
Investigators alleged that he subsequently went underground in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area, where an associate reportedly helped him evade detection.
The military did not disclose the specific accoutrements allegedly supplied, the recipients, or how long the suspected operation had been running. It said further investigation was underway to determine the full extent of the soldier’s alleged activities and identify other individuals who may have been involved.
Yusuf is currently being held by the 7 Provost Group as investigators probe the alleged supply network and possible accomplices.
Operation HADIN KAI described the arrest as evidence of the military’s determination to dismantle support networks aiding terrorism and other criminal activities, including where serving personnel are suspected of involvement.
The Joint Task Force stressed that status would not shield anyone found supporting terrorism or criminality from investigation and prosecution.
“Operation HADIN KAI reiterates that there is no safe haven for individuals who support terrorism or any form of criminality, irrespective of their status,” the statement said.
The military added that it remained committed to professionalism, accountability and integrity in its counter-insurgency operations across the North-East.
It also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies, saying civilian cooperation remained critical to efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the region.
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