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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Soldier wanted for supplying arms to terrorists arrested in Borno

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • A Nigerian soldier, Private Mohammed Yusuf, declared wanted for supplying military equipment to terrorists, has been arrested.
  • He was apprehended by troops in Maiduguri while attempting to flee to Cameroon.
  • The arrest highlights the army's commitment to accountability and dismantling criminal support networks.

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of Private Mohammed Yusuf, a soldier previously declared wanted for allegedly supplying military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements. Troops of the 7 Provost Group, Operation Hadin Kai, apprehended Yusuf at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri as he was reportedly attempting to escape to the Republic of Cameroon.

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a soldier recently declared wanted by the Nigerian Army for his alleged involvement in the illegal supply of military accoutrements to terrorist and other criminal elements, in a sustained effort to dismantle criminal support network.

— Capt Muhammed GoniAnnouncing the arrest and its significance in combating criminal networks.

According to Capt Muhammed Goni, the acting Military Information Officer for the Northeast Joint Taskforce Operation Hadin Kai, preliminary investigations indicate that Yusuf deserted his unit on July 7, 2026. He subsequently relocated to Maiduguri and went into hiding in the Gomari Costain area with the help of an associate. The Nigerian Army had declared him wanted on July 23, 2026, for the same allegations.

He had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army on 23 July 2026 over the same allegations. The suspect was apprehended at Jidari Bus Stop, Maiduguri, while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon.

— Capt Muhammed GoniProviding details of the arrest and the soldier's alleged actions.

Goni stated that Yusuf's arrest underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the Nigerian Army's dedication to holding personnel accountable for actions that compromise military ethics, discipline, and national security. The suspect is currently in custody, with further investigations underway to determine the full scope of his activities and identify any potential accomplices. The military emphasized that there is no safe haven for individuals supporting terrorism or criminality, regardless of their status, and reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism and integrity in counter-insurgency operations. The public is urged to continue providing credible information to security agencies.

The suspect is currently in the custody of 7 Provost Group, where further investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of his activities and identify other individuals who may have been involved.

— Capt Muhammed GoniExplaining the next steps in the investigation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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