Troops of 247 Reconnaissance Battalion, in collaboration with local hunters, have arrested two suspected members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during separate operations in Borno and Adamawa States.

The first suspect was apprehended at about 1100 hours on September 15, 2026, by troops deployed at UBA, in conjunction with hunters at UBA-Marghi Village in Askira Local Government Area of Borno State.

According to security sources, the suspect was arrested while allegedly wearing clothing associated with ISWAP.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect had stayed in Kelle Village, also in Askira LGA, in 2025. The village is reported to have been dominated by ISWAP elements at the time.

In a separate operation at about 1305 hours the same day, troops of the 247 Reconnaissance Battalion, working with local hunters, arrested another suspected ISWAP member at Kwachifa Village in Mubi North Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The second suspect was identified as an indigene of Kaita Town in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Security sources said the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation to having worked with terrorist elements for about nine years.

The two suspects remain in military custody and are undergoing further investigation to establish their links, activities and possible networks.

Security agencies are expected to conduct further screening and intelligence exploitation as part of efforts to identify other individuals connected to the suspected terrorist networks. (Zagazola)