Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a Nigerian Army soldier who was recently declared wanted over his alleged involvement in the illegal supply of military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the suspect, 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, Lagos, was apprehended at about 6:30 p.m. on 25 July 2026 by troops of the 7 Provost Group following credible human intelligence.
The statement said the soldier had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army on 23 July 2026 over allegations that he was involved in supplying military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal groups.
He was arrested at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect absconded from his unit on 7 July 2026 before relocating to Maiduguri, where he allegedly went into hiding in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area with the assistance of an associate.
According to the military, the arrest highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and reinforces the Nigerian Army’s commitment to identifying and dismantling criminal support networks aiding terrorist activities.
The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where further investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of his alleged activities and identify other individuals who may have been connected to the operation.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed that there would be no safe haven for anyone found supporting terrorism or other forms of criminality, regardless of status or affiliation.
The military also reiterated its commitment to professionalism, accountability and discipline, stressing that personnel whose actions undermine military ethics or national security would be identified and brought to justice.
It further appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that public cooperation remains critical to ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security across the North-East theatre of operations.
