Wanted Soldier Arrested Over Alleged Supply of Military Gear to Terrorists

By Zainab Uzomah| Abuja

A soldier declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in the illegal supply of military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements has been arrested by troops of Operation Hadin Kai in Maiduguri, Borno State.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, the soldier, Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, Lagos, was arrested at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, by troops of 7 Provost Group following credible intelligence.

The military said Yusuf, with service number 23NA/84/1939, was apprehended at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon. He had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army on July 23 over the allegations.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the soldier allegedly absconded from his unit on July 7 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.

The military said Yusuf is currently in the custody of 7 Provost Group, while further investigations are ongoing to establish the extent of his alleged activities and identify other individuals who may have been involved.

Operation Hadin Kai said the arrest was part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal support networks and hold military personnel accountable for actions capable of undermining military ethics, discipline and national security.

It reiterated that there would be no safe haven for individuals supporting terrorism or other forms of criminality, irrespective of their status, and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.