Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a Nigerian Army soldier who was recently declared wanted over allegations that he illegally supplied military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements.
The suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, Lagos, was apprehended on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at about 6:30 p.m. by troops of the 7 Provost Group in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to the military, the soldier was arrested at Jidari Bus Stop while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon following intelligence received by security operatives.
His arrest comes a few days after the Nigerian Army declared him wanted over allegations that he was involved in the illegal supply of military uniforms and other accoutrements to terrorists and criminal elements.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the military said the arrest followed “credible human intelligence.”
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect absconded from his unit 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.
“The suspect, 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, Lagos, was arrested at about 6:30 p.m. on 25 July 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group, following credible human intelligence,” the statement said.
“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.”
The military said the soldier’s arrest underscored the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to holding personnel accountable for actions capable of undermining military discipline and national security.
According to the statement, 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 any accomplices.
“Operation HADIN KAI reiterates that there is no safe haven for individuals who support terrorism or any form of criminality, irrespective of their status,” the statement added.
“The military remains resolute in upholding professionalism, accountability and the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of ongoing counter-insurgency operations.”
The military also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, saying public cooperation remained vital to ongoing efforts to restore peace and security in the North-East.
SaharaReporters had reported on Thursday that the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps declared the soldier wanted after preliminary investigations allegedly linked him to the unauthorised sale and distribution of military uniforms and other military items to terrorists and criminal elements.
At the time, the Army said the suspect had absconded from the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, where he was serving, and warned that any personnel found aiding terrorists through the illegal diversion or sale of military uniforms, accoutrements or other controlled items would face the full weight of military and civil laws.
The Nigerian Army had also reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, indiscipline and any act capable of compromising its operational effectiveness or threatening national security.
