Troops under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a man suspected of having links to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a security operation in Munguno LGA of Borno state.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the arrest took place at about 3pm on Wednesday along the Maiduguri–Monguno highway, where troops were carrying out routine surveillance and vehicle checks.
Makama said soldiers from the 212 Battalion, stationed at Delta One, stopped the suspect after noticing what they described as suspicious behaviour.
A search of his belongings led to the recovery of a Starlink satellite internet terminal, a Wi-Fi router fitted with six access points, a mobile phone and N1,000.
When questioned, the suspect reportedly told the troops that he runs an internet service business in his community and that the equipment was meant for commercial operations.
However, security officials said the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s movements and the communication devices found in his possession warranted further scrutiny.
He was subsequently taken into custody and transferred for additional investigation.
The suspect and the recovered equipment have been handed over to the Military Intelligence Brigade (7 MIB), where investigators are expected to conduct detailed profiling and intelligence analysis to determine whether he has any affiliation with ISWAP or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS).
According to military sources, investigators will examine the intended use of the Starlink terminal, establish whether it had already been deployed, identify any associates and determine whether the equipment was acquired to facilitate terrorist communications or logistical activities.
