Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested three women suspected of collaborating with Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists during a covert operation in Kunduga, Borno State.

Sources said the arrests followed intelligence obtained from a lawful communications intercept conducted on 12 June 2026.

The sources indicated that investigators intercepted information linked to an individual identified as Ba Musa, who allegedly contacted a woman to facilitate movement into a terrorist enclave.

Acting on the intelligence, troops of the 222 Battalion (Mobile) carried out a covert operation at about 2230hrs on 18 June 2026, leading to the arrest of three female suspects at an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kunduga.

The suspects were identified as Aisha Mustapha, 19; Astakawu Bura, 23; and Zarah Bukar, 50.

Military authorities said the suspects are currently in the custody of the 222 Battalion (Mobile) and are undergoing further investigation to determine the extent of their alleged involvement and possible links to terrorist activities.

The sources noted that the overall security situation across the North-East theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops continue offensive and intelligence-driven operations against terrorist networks in the region. (Zagazola, but headline reworked)