Troops of Sector 4, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested a suspected foreign terrorist fighter and an alleged illegal immigrant during a security operation in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday, July 20, 2026, by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion at about 11:48 a.m. on July 19, 2026, in Lassa, Dille General Area, as part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations in the North East Theatre.
The troops arrested one Musa Fashir, 32, a Sudanese national suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator. Preliminary intelligence indicates the suspect has established links with terrorist elements, further highlighting attempts by foreign actors to support insurgent activities in the region.
In the same operation, troops also apprehended Mary Florence, 36, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana. The military said the circumstances surrounding her presence in the area and the authenticity of her claims are under investigation.
Both suspects are currently in military custody undergoing preliminary profiling and interrogation to establish their identities, determine the extent of their activities, and ascertain any possible links to terrorist or transnational criminal networks.
Operation HADIN KAI said the arrests demonstrate the effectiveness of its intelligence-driven operations and the vigilance of troops in denying terrorists and collaborators freedom of action.
The Theatre Command reiterated its commitment to disrupting terrorist support networks, preventing the infiltration of foreign fighters, and safeguarding communities across the North East.
It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that collective vigilance remains critical to restoring lasting peace and stability in the region.