By Helen Udo.
Troops of Sector 4, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested a suspected foreign terrorist fighter and an alleged illegal immigrant during an intelligence led security operation in Lassa, Dille General Area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The operation was conducted by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion at about 11:48 a.m. on 19 July 2026 as part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts aimed at denying insurgents freedom of movement and disrupting their support networks across the North East.
During the operation, soldiers apprehended Musa Fashir, a 32-year-old Sudanese national suspected of being a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator. Preliminary intelligence suggests he has links with terrorist elements operating in the region.
The disclosure was made in a statement signed by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Captain [Name], in Maiduguri on 20 July 2026.
According to the statement “Troops also arrested Mary Florence, a 36 year old woman who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana. Security agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding her presence in the area and verifying 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 identify any possible links to terrorist or transnational criminal networks.
Operation HADIN KAI said the arrests underscore the effectiveness of its intelligence-driven operations and the vigilance of troops in preventing terrorists and their collaborators from operating freely within the North East.
The military noted that the operation reflects its commitment to disrupting terrorist logistics, financing, and support structures while preventing the infiltration of foreign fighters into the theatre of operations.
Operation HADIN KAI also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, stressing that collective vigilance remains essential to restoring lasting peace, security, and stability across the North East.
