No fewer than 16 foreign terrorists and other suspects have been arrested by the military and other security agencies in separate operations across Nigeria within 14 months, raising fresh concerns over the involvement of foreign operatives in the country’s worsening security crisis.
The suspects, according to military sources and compiled security reports, include nationals of Pakistan, Chad and Niger, while other foreign fighters linked to terrorist networks in the North-East reportedly include Arabs, a Palestinian, a Moroccan and a Syrian national.
The arrests and security encounters reportedly took place across parts of the North-East and North-Central between May 2025 and July 2026, reinforcing concerns that foreign operatives are playing active roles in terrorism, arms trafficking, training, intelligence gathering and logistical support for insurgent groups operating in Nigeria.
On July 12, troops of Operation Hadin Kai disclosed that a Palestinian Arab identified as Abu Ishaq, said to be ISWAP’s overall trainer; a Moroccan Arab identified as Abu Thaiba, described as a medical doctor within the terrorist network; and another unidentified Arab operative were among terrorists who allegedly planned a thwarted infiltration into Cross Kauwa, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
During the operation, the military said it killed several high-profile terrorists, including a Syrian national and an ISWAP commander, Aliyu Zabarmari, while another foreign fighter described as an Arab mercenary was said to be missing.
On July 19, troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion reportedly arrested an alleged foreign spy, Abubakar Zen, who claimed to be a citizen of the Niger Republic, at Mallam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
A military source at Defence Headquarters also confirmed the arrest of another suspected foreign terrorist fighter and illegal immigrant in Borno, though the suspect’s name was withheld.
The military also announced the arrest of two foreign jihadists on July 20, accusing them of providing advanced training, drone logistics and technological support to local terrorist cells.
In another operation, troops working with operatives of the Department of State Services arrested three Chadian nationals, Bilal Muhammed Umar, Bashir Muhammed and Muhammed Maigari Abubakar, in Gombe State. They were allegedly found with components used for improvised explosive devices.
In May 2025, troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested four Pakistani nationals in the North-East over allegations of arms trafficking and operating training camps for insurgent groups.
Security agencies, including the DSS, also arrested five foreigners in Plateau State between May 15 and 20, 2025. The suspects were identified as three foreign Fulani migrants and two Chadian nationals.
On June 24, a High Court in Sokoto State sentenced three men, including a Nigerien national, Yusuf Muhammad, also known as Sallau, to death by hanging after convicting them of terrorism and arms proliferation.
The developments have raised questions about the extent of foreign infiltration into terrorist networks operating in Nigeria and whether international intelligence agencies have been formally engaged to track foreign operatives linked to insurgent groups.
They also declined to comment on whether INTERPOL or other international counterterrorism agencies had been formally enlisted in the manhunt, citing the sensitivity of ongoing intelligence and security operations.
They also declined to comment on whether INTERPOL or other international counterterrorism agencies had been formally enlisted in the manhunt, citing the sensitivity of ongoing intelligence and security operations.
One military officer said the presence of foreign nationals in terrorist networks was not entirely new, but the discovery of operatives with specialised skills showed the changing nature of the insurgency.
According to the source, terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting porous borders, difficult terrain and weak state presence to move personnel, weapons, funds and expertise across national boundaries.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Micheal Onoja, declined to provide details when asked about the total number of foreign terrorists arrested and plans to apprehend others providing support to terrorist groups.
“Nothing much to it. No comments for now,” he said.
Reacting to concerns over porous borders, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Immigration Service, Akinlabi Akinlabi, said the agency was working closely with the military and other security agencies to strengthen border security and prevent the movement of terrorists and irregular migrants into Nigeria.