Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected Sudanese terrorist fighter and an alleged illegal immigrant during a counter-terrorism operation in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The arrests were made by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion, Sector 4 of Operation HADIN KAI, during an intelligence-led operation conducted at about 11:48 a.m. on July 19, 2026, in Lassa, Dille General Area.
According to the military, the operation led to the arrest of 32-year-old Musa Fashir, a Sudanese national suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator. Preliminary intelligence indicated that the suspect has established links with terrorist elements operating in the North-East, raising concerns about the involvement of foreign actors in supporting insurgent activities in the region.
The troops also apprehended 36-year-old Mary Florence, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana. The military said investigations were ongoing to verify her identity, the circumstances surrounding her presence in the area, and the authenticity of her claims.
Both suspects are currently 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.
The military said the arrests underscore the effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI’s intelligence-driven operations and the vigilance of troops in denying terrorists and their collaborators freedom of movement across the North-East.
It added that the operation reflects the military’s commitment to disrupting terrorist support networks, preventing the infiltration of foreign fighters, and protecting communities from security threats.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its resolve to neutralise terrorist elements and dismantle their logistics, financing and support structures across the theatre of operations.
The military also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, stressing that collective vigilance remains essential to restoring lasting peace, security and stability in the North-East.
