Troops arrest suspected ISWAP spy in Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) over an alleged plot to attack two military formations in Borno state.

The suspect, identified as Muhammad Shuaibu, was apprehended by personnel of the 212 Battalion at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Chabbol following intelligence reports of an impending terrorist operation.

According to military sources cited by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, the suspect was arrested during a routine perimeter patrol conducted about 500 metres from the anti-vehicle trench surrounding the military base.

The report said the operation was launched after security agencies received credible human intelligence indicating that terrorists were planning coordinated attacks on military positions in the area.

Preliminary investigations reportedly linked the suspect to a planned assault on the 199 Special Forces Battalion, popularly known as Mosquito Camp, as well as the Forward Operating Base in Chabbol.

Military sources further disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted knowledge of the planned operation and claimed the attackers intended to proceed with the mission regardless of his arrest.

Following the intelligence breakthrough, troops immediately strengthened security around the identified military formations and reinforced defensive measures to counter any attempted attack.

The suspect has since been transferred to the 7 Military Intelligence Brigade for further investigation.

The arrest forms part of Operation HADIN KAI’s ongoing intelligence-led counter-terrorism operations aimed at disrupting insurgent activities, dismantling terrorist networks and safeguarding military installations across the North-East.