OPERATION HADIN KAI ARRESTS SUSPECTED FOREIGN TERRORIST FIGHTER, INVESTIGATES ALLEGED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN BORNO
Troops of Sector 4, Operation HADIN KAI, have apprehended a suspected foreign terrorist fighter and an alleged illegal immigrant during an intelligence led security operation in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to the military, the operation was carried out by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion at about 11:48 a.m. on 19 July 2026 in the Lassa and Dille general area as part of ongoing counterterrorism operations across the North East.
During the operation, troops arrested Musa Fashir, a 32 year old Sudanese national, who is suspected of being a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator. Preliminary military intelligence indicates that the suspect may have established links with terrorist elements operating within the region. Investigations are continuing to determine the nature and extent of his alleged involvement.
Troops also apprehended Mary Florence, aged 36, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana. Military authorities stated that her identity, immigration status, and the circumstances surrounding her presence in the operational area are currently being verified.
Both suspects remain in military custody, where they are undergoing profiling, interrogation, and intelligence exploitation to establish their identities and determine whether they have links to terrorist organisations or transnational criminal networks.
From a counterterrorism perspective, the arrest of a suspected foreign national allegedly connected to terrorist activities is operationally important because it may provide valuable intelligence on the transnational dimensions of insurgency in the Lake Chad Basin. Armed extremist organisations operating in the region have historically recruited members and established support networks that extend across several African countries, exploiting porous borders, irregular migration routes, and weak border governance to facilitate the movement of personnel, finances, weapons, and logistics.
The case also illustrates the importance of distinguishing between irregular migration and terrorism. While unlawful entry into a country constitutes an immigration offence, it does not, in itself, establish involvement in terrorist activities. Consequently, the investigation involving the woman claiming to be from Ghana will require careful verification of her identity, immigration records, travel history, and any possible association with criminal or extremist networks before conclusions can be drawn.
The military stated that the successful arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence driven operations in identifying suspected collaborators and preventing terrorist groups from expanding their operational networks. It added that sustained pressure on foreign fighters, financiers, logistics suppliers, and local collaborators remains central to ongoing efforts to degrade insurgent capabilities across the North East.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling terrorist support structures and disrupting cross border infiltration. The military also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence, noting that community cooperation remains an essential component of efforts to restore lasting peace, security, and stability across the region.
