BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN, JULY 26, 2026/ 08:43PM
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a Nigerian Army soldier who was declared wanted and was allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon.
The suspect, 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, Lagos, was picked up at about 6:30 p.m. on 25 July 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group at Jidari Bus Stop, Maiduguri.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by OPHK's spokesman, Captain Mohammed Goni, the arrest followed credible human intelligence.
He said the soldier had been declared wanted by the Nigerian Army on 23 July 2026 over alleged illegal supply of military accoutrements to terrorists and other criminal elements.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Private Yusuf absconded from his unit on 7 July 2026 and relocated to Maiduguri.
He reportedly went into hiding in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area with the assistance of an associate.
'The suspect is currently in the custody of 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,' Capt. Goni said.
He added 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 and national security.
In the statement, OPHK reiterated that there is no safe haven for individuals who support terrorism or criminality, irrespective of their status.