Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested two foreign nationals, including a 32-year-old Sudanese man and a 36-year-old Ghanaian woman, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Army identified the Sudanese, Musa Fashir, as a suspected foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator, while the Ghanaian, Mary Florence, is said to be an illegal immigrant.

In a statement on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, said the suspects were arrested by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion at about 11:48 a.m. on July 19, 2026.

The statement partly read, “Troops of Sector 4, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), while sustaining aggressive counter-terrorism operations across the North-East theatre, have apprehended another foreign terrorist fighter and an alleged illegal immigrant during a security operation in Lassa, Dille General Area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Borno State.”

He said the operation was carried out as part of ongoing intelligence-driven strategies in the fight against insurgency in the North-East theatre.

“During the operation, troops arrested one 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, further highlighting attempts by foreign actors to support insurgent activities in the region,” the statement continued

Additionally, Goni said, “Troops also apprehended Mary Florence, 36, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana. The circumstances surrounding her presence in the area, as well as the authenticity of her claims, are currently under investigation.”

According to him, both suspects are in military custody undergoing preliminary profiling and interrogation to establish their identities, determine the extent of their activities, and ascertain any possible links to terrorist or transnational criminal networks.

“The successful arrests further demonstrate the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai’s intelligence-driven operations and the vigilance of troops in denying terrorists and their collaborators freedom of action,” he said.

He added that the operation also highlights the theatre’s unwavering commitment to disrupting terrorist support networks, preventing the infiltration of foreign fighters, and safeguarding communities across the North-East.

“Operation Hadin Kai remains resolute in its mandate to neutralise terrorists and dismantle their logistics, financing and support networks.

“Members of the public are encouraged to sustain their support by providing timely and credible information to security agencies, as collective vigilance remains critical to the restoration of lasting peace, security and stability in the North-East,” he added. (PUNCH)

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