Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a 26-year-old man suspected of spying for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and plotting attacks against military formations in Borno State.
The suspect, identified as Mustapha Mohammed, was apprehended by troops of 19 Brigade deployed at the Kekeno-Monguno checkpoint on June 19, 2026 following credible intelligence.
According to reliable information obtained on Sunday, June 21, the suspect was allegedly involved in intelligence gathering and collaboration with ISWAP terrorists.
Sources indicated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was linked to plans by terrorists to attack troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kekeno.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops of 19 Brigade deployed at the Kekeno-Monguno checkpoint arrested one Mustapha Mohammed, aged 26 years, suspected to be an ISWAP terrorist spy,” the report stated.
“The suspect was arrested for allegedly collaborating with terrorists on possible plans to attack troops deployed at FOB Kekeno.”
Military authorities said the suspect is currently in the custody of 19 Brigade for further interrogation and intelligence exploitation.
In a similar development, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested two suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorist group allegedly involved in transporting logistics items for insurgents in Borno.
A military source disclosed on Sunday that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Muhammad and Saidu Abdulazeez, were apprehended by troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion at a checkpoint along the Mandaragirau–Sabon Gari road in Borno State.
The source said the arrest was made at about 3:00 p.m. on June 20 during a routine checkpoint operation aimed at disrupting terrorist movements and supply networks within the North-East theatre.
According to the source, the suspects were intercepted while conveying items suspected to be intended for terrorist elements operating in the area.
Items recovered from them included a red Golf vehicle, 15 yards of clothing materials, a public address system, a school bag, a vacuum flask, a Tecno mobile phone, an Android phone, an OPay debit card and related transaction receipts.
“The suspects were arrested while transporting items suspected to be logistics supplies for Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists. The recovered items and the suspects are currently in military custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation,” the source said.
The source added that the suspects and exhibits had been moved to Abogo Largema Cantonment, where security operatives were conducting further interrogation to determine possible links to terrorist networks and identify other collaborators.
Military authorities believe the arrest could provide useful intelligence on the movement of supplies, finances and personnel supporting insurgent activities in the North-East.
The source noted that the general security situation across the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, adding that troops continued to maintain a high level of vigilance in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
