The Nigerian Army has arrested a soldier, Private Mohammed Yusuf, who was declared wanted for his alleged involvement in the illegal supply of military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements, as he attempted to flee to Cameroon.
The arrest was carried out by troops of the 7 Provost Group, Operation HADIN KAI, at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri, Borno State, on 25 July 2026 at approximately 6.30pm, according to a statement released on Sunday.
Arrest and background
The Acting Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Muhammed Goni, said the suspect had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army on 23 July 2026 over the same allegations.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he 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.
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The soldier, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, was taken into custody by the 7 Provost Group.
“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,” Captain Goni 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.
The statement from the Army 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.”
The Army spokesman noted that 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. 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.
PUNCH Online had previously reported that the Army Ordnance Corps declared Private Yusuf wanted over “his alleged involvement in the illegal sale and supply of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements.” The Corps, in a statement signed by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Major Oluwatope Aluko, said preliminary investigations linked the soldier to the alleged illegal activities after he absconded from his unit.
“Consequently, he has been declared wanted by the appropriate military authorities, while intensive efforts are underway to locate and apprehend him to face a full investigation and appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with extant military laws,” that statement said.
