The Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of a soldier who was recently declared wanted over allegations of illegally supplying military equipment to terrorists and other criminal groups.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Army said Private Mohammed Yusuf was arrested by troops of the 7 Provost Group, Operation HADIN KAI, at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri while allegedly attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon.
The Acting Military Information Officer for the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Muhammed Goni, said the arrest followed credible intelligence.
According to Goni, Yusuf, a member of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, had been declared wanted on 23 July over allegations that he was involved in the illegal sale and supply of military uniforms and other accoutrements to terrorists and criminal elements.
He said preliminary investigations indicated that the soldier absconded from his unit on 7 July before relocating to Maiduguri, where he allegedly 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 the 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,” Goni said.
He added that the arrest demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and reflected the Army’s commitment to holding personnel accountable for actions that undermine military discipline, ethics and national security.
Goni said the military remained committed to professionalism and accountability, stressing that there would be no safe haven for individuals found to be supporting terrorism or other forms of criminality, regardless of their status.
He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, describing public cooperation as vital to ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The arrest follows a statement issued on Thursday by the Headquarters of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, which declared Yusuf wanted after preliminary investigations allegedly linked him to the illegal sale and supply of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements.
The statement, signed by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Major Oluwatope Aluko, said intensive efforts had been launched to locate and apprehend the soldier so that he could face a full investigation and any disciplinary action in accordance with military law.
