Troops arrest foreign ‘ISIS operative’ in Borno

Troops have arrested a suspected foreign Islamic State (ISIS) operative believed to be an Arab of Moroccan origin, in Cross Kauwa, Kukawa LGA of Borno state.

Makama said troops immediately launched exploitation operations, extending search and pursuit missions along the terrorists’ withdrawal routes.

“Among the items recovered were high-frequency hand-held radios (HHR), communication equipment considered crucial to the command and control structure of the terrorist group.

“The operation culminated in the arrest of a fleeing foreign suspect believed to be an Arab of Moroccan origin with suspected links to the Islamic State (ISIS).

“The camcorder, according to the sources, belonged to a terrorist cameraman who was killed during the failed assault on Cross Kauwa.”

Makama said extremist groups often deploy media operatives alongside assault teams to document attacks for propaganda, recruitment and operational assessment. 

The publication noted that footage recovered from the camcorder helped investigators identify the foreign suspect.

The arrest was reported as a significant intelligence breakthrough that could provide fresh insights into the structure, financing and international links of terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Basin.

“While ISWAP remains largely composed of local fighters recruited from communities within the Lake Chad Basin, intelligence gathered over the years has indicated the presence of foreign facilitators from Iraq, Somalia and Morrocco serving as technical specialists linked to the wider Islamic State network,” Makama said.

“Officials noted that information obtained during the intelligence exploitation process could support ongoing counter-terrorism operations, identify additional terrorist cells and expose cross-border movement routes used by insurgent elements.”