Troops arrest suspected ISWAP spy linked to planned attack on Borno bases

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have detained a man suspected of working for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) after intelligence indicated he was planning an attack on two military bases in Borno State.

The suspect, identified as Muhammad Shuaibu, was seized by the 212 Battalion at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Chabbol, following reports of a planned terrorist assault.

Military sources, quoted by counter‑insurgency and security expert Zagazola Makama, said the man was apprehended during a routine patrol roughly 500 metres from the anti‑vehicle ditch that protects the base.

The arrest came after the military received “credible human intelligence” about an imminent attack.

Preliminary investigations linked the suspect to a plot targeting the 199 Special Forces Battalion—also known as Mosquito Camp—and the FOB in Chabbol.

According to military officials, the suspect admitted during questioning that an attack had been planned and claimed that the terrorists intended to proceed with the operation even after his arrest.

The military said the arrest allowed troops to tighten security around the targeted bases and reinforce their defenses against any potential attack.

The suspect has been handed over to the 7 Military Intelligence Brigade for further investigation.

This arrest is part of Operation Hadin Kai’s ongoing intelligence‑led campaign to disrupt terrorist activities, dismantle insurgent networks, and strengthen the security of military formations across Nigeria’s North‑East.