By Our Correspondent, Maiduguri
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a wanted soldier allegedly involved in the illegal supply of military accoutrements to terrorist groups operating in the North East, the military announced on Sunday.
Private Mohammed Yusuf, service number 23NA/84/1939, attached to the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory in Lagos, was captured on Saturday evening at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri while reportedly attempting to cross into the Republic of Cameroon.
The suspect had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army on July 23 over his alleged role in channelling military equipment and supplies to insurgents and other criminal elements, according to a statement issued by the theatre command.
Acting on credible human intelligence, operatives of the 7 Provost Group tracked Yusuf to Maiduguri, where he had been in hiding since absconding from his unit on July 7. He was reportedly sheltered by an associate in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area before his arrest at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 25.
Military authorities said preliminary investigations have confirmed that the soldier deserted his post and relocated to the conflict zone with the intention of evading detection. He is now being held at the 7 Provost Group facility as investigators work to determine the full scale of his activities and uncover other members of the supply chain.
In a statement, the military spokesperson for the Joint Task Force, Captain Mohammed Goni, described the arrest as a testament to the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the army’s resolve to enforce discipline within its ranks.
“There is no safe haven for individuals who support terrorism or any form of criminality, irrespective of their status,” Goni said. “The military remains resolute in upholding professionalism, accountability, and the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of ongoing counter-insurgency operations.”
The arrest comes amid growing military efforts to sever logistical networks that sustain insurgency in the region. Authorities have consistently warned that complicity by security personnel would be met with severe consequences.
Operation HADIN KAI also appealed to civilians to continue volunteering timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to restoring lasting peace across the North East.
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