WANTED SOLDIER ARRESTED IN BORNO WHILE ATTEMPTING TO FLEE TO CAMEROON
Read Time:2 Minute, 44 Second
By: Muftau Fatimo
The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of Private Mohammed Yusuf, a soldier who was declared wanted over alleged involvement in the illegal supply of military equipment to terrorists and other criminal groups.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Army said troops of the 7 Provost Group under Operation HADIN KAI apprehended Yusuf at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri while he was allegedly attempting to escape to the Republic of Cameroon.
The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Muhammed Goni, disclosed that preliminary investigations showed that the suspect absconded from his unit on July 7, 2026, before relocating to Maiduguri, where he allegedly went into hiding.
The statement read, “Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a soldier recently declared wanted by the Nigerian Army for his alleged involvement in the illegal supply of military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements, in a sustained effort to dismantle criminal support networks.”
According to Goni, the suspect, 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, was arrested at about 6:30 p.m. on July 25, 2026, by troops of the 7 Provost Group following credible human intelligence.
“He had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army on 23 July 2026 over the same allegations. The suspect was apprehended at Jidari Bus Stop, Maiduguri, while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon,” he said.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect absconded from his unit on 7 July 2026 and subsequently relocated to Maiduguri, where he reportedly went into hiding in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area with the assistance of an associate,” he added.
The Army spokesman said the arrest underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the Nigerian Army’s commitment to holding personnel accountable for actions that undermine military ethics, discipline and national security.
“The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where further investigation is ongoing to establish the full extent of his activities and identify other individuals who may have been involved,” he said.
Goni emphasised that there is no safe haven for individuals who support terrorism or any form of criminality, irrespective of their status.
“The military remains resolute in upholding professionalism, accountability and the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of ongoing counter-insurgency operations,” he said.
He called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, saying their cooperation remains critical to the restoration of lasting peace and security across the theatre.
The media had reported that the Army Ordnance Corps has declared Private Yusuf wanted over “his alleged involvement in the illegal sale and supply of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements.”
The Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Oluwatope Aluko, said preliminary investigations had linked the soldier to the alleged illegal activities following his disappearance from his unit.
The statement added that the soldier had been declared wanted by relevant military authorities, with intensified efforts ongoing to track and arrest him for a comprehensive investigation and necessary disciplinary action in line with existing military regulations.
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