Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, reportedly attempting to spy on soldiers in Baga town, Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The Army, in a statement on Friday, said the suspect served as a logistics and intelligence courier between terrorist enclaves in Chad and Niger Republic.
It added that the suspect was arrested by troops of the 196 Amphibious Battalion and has been handed over to the 403 Amphibious Brigade for further investigation.
“Preliminary findings revealed that the suspect acted as a logistics and intelligence courier between terrorist cells in Chad and Niger Republic, attempting to gather information on troop movements under the guise of a surrendering fighter,” the statement read.
The Army further disclosed that three ISWAP members recently surrendered in Niger State, citing sustained military pressure and worsening conditions in their camps around the Tumbun Marcobina axis.
According to the statement, the suspects, said to be from Konduga and Jabilam, are being profiled for further debriefing.
It also confirmed that troops of 2 Brigade, in collaboration with Department of State Services operatives in Port Harcourt, arrested a suspected kidnap kingpin, Emmanuel Akpan, during a raid on a hideout in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Akpan, described as a high-value target operating along the Oron/Ibaka axis, is currently in DSS custody for further investigation.
