ISWAP Suspect Arrested in Borno While Transporting Motorcycle Tyres, Claims He Intended to Surrender After Ramadan Fast

 

In a fresh setback for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected member of the terrorist group in Borno State.

The suspect was apprehended while allegedly transporting motorcycle tyres and other maintenance spares from the Timbuktu triangle area, a known logistics route used by insurgents for resupplying their camps.

According to military sources and a video confession circulating from security analyst Zagazola Makama, the arrested individual admitted his affiliation with ISWAP. He revealed that he purchased tyres from Bajoga in Gombe State for ₦13,000 each and resold them to the group for ₦25,000, profiting from the illicit supply chain.

When questioned about his future intentions with the terrorist organisation, the suspect stated: “I was planning to surrender immediately after the Ramadan fast, but unfortunately, I was caught before I could do so.”

He further disclosed that he was based at an ISWAP camp in Kauwa, reportedly led by a commander in the group's hierarchy.

The arrest comes amid ongoing intensified military operations in the Northeast, where troops have recently neutralised several ISWAP fighters, disrupted logistics networks, and encouraged surrenders through sustained pressure. Recent weeks have seen ISWAP claiming attacks on military positions during Ramadan, even as some fighters express disillusionment and seek to defect.

Military authorities have not released the suspect's identity but confirmed he is in custody for further interrogation. The incident underscores the Nigerian Army's commitment to dismantling terrorist supply lines and preventing attacks during the holy month.

Security experts note that such confessions of planned defections—often cited during arrests—highlight the psychological toll of prolonged counter-insurgency efforts on insurgent ranks, though many claims remain unverified until formal rehabilitation processes begin.

This development adds to a string of successes for Operation HADIN KAI, aimed at restoring peace and stability in the Lake Chad region. Authorities urge communities to continue providing credible intelligence to aid ongoing operations against terrorism.