As part of efforts to address the various security challenges facing the country, the Nigerian military has arrested a suspected foreign terrorist fighter from Sudan and an alleged illegal immigrant from Ghana during a counter-terrorism operation in Borno State, as troops of Operation HADIN KAI intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist networks in the North East.
The arrests were made by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion, Sector 4 Operation HADIN KAI, during an intelligence-led operation conducted at about 11:48 a.m. on July 19, 2026, in Lassa, Dille General Area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
According to the military, the operation led to the arrest of Musa Fashir, a 32-year-old Sudanese national suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator.
Preliminary intelligence indicates that the suspect has established links with terrorist elements operating in the region, raising concerns over the involvement of foreign actors in supporting insurgency activities in Nigeria’s North East.
During the same operation, troops also apprehended Mary Florence, a 36-year-old woman who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana.
The military said the circumstances surrounding her presence in the area, as well as the authenticity of her claims, are currently under investigation.
Both suspects are being held in military custody where they are undergoing profiling and interrogation to establish their identities, determine the extent of their activities, and ascertain any possible links to terrorist groups or transnational criminal networks.
Operation HADIN KAI said the arrests underscore the effectiveness of its intelligence-driven operations and the vigilance of troops in preventing terrorists and their collaborators from operating freely across the theatre.
The military added that the operation reflects its continued commitment to disrupting terrorist logistics, financing, and support networks, while preventing the infiltration of foreign terrorist fighters into the country.
