Troops arrest two suspected ISWAP collaborators in Borno [PHOTOS]

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested two suspected collaborators of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, during an intelligence-led operation in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.

The arrests were disclosed by counter-insurgency and security analyst Zagazola Makama in a post on X.

According to intelligence sources cited by Makama, troops of the 109 Special Forces Battalion, in collaboration with Hybrid Forces, carried out the operation at about 5:08 a.m. on July 28 following credible intelligence from the Hybrid Forces Headquarters in Maiduguri.

The operation led to the arrest of Modu Collu, 20, and Bashir Goni Tijani, 47, both residents of Magumeri town.

The sources said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects admitted to collaborating with Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters operating in the area.

Troops also recovered a Tecno mobile phone belonging to one of the suspects, Modu Collu, during the operation. The device has been taken into custody for further analysis.

Military sources said the suspects and the recovered exhibit are being processed and will be handed over to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC) for further investigation and necessary action.

The arrests are part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations under Operation DESERT SANITY V aimed at dismantling terrorist support networks, disrupting logistics and denying insurgents access to local collaborators across the North-East.

Military authorities said the security situation across the theatre remains relatively calm but unpredictable, adding that troops have maintained a high level of morale and operational readiness.