Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Nigerian military forces have arrested three suspected recruitment agents linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Banki town, Borno State, in a move highlighting ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the volatile North East region. The arrests, made on January 17, 2026, form part of intensified operations under Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt insurgent networks and stem the flow of recruits to extremist groups.
According to military and local sources, troops were acting on intelligence provided by the Banki District Head when they raided a location where the suspects were allegedly attempting to recruit and transport young men for training with ISWAP elements operating in neighbouring Adamawa State. The covert operation, conducted with precision, resulted in the apprehension of the trio before they could facilitate further extremist activity.
The detained suspects have been identified as Gajibo Kayama (23), Tahiru Modu (22) and Bulama Modu (24). Security officials report that the men targeted youths aged between 17 and 20 from Banki and its environs, offering them pathways into militant ranks and training camps. Authorities allege that the three were previously members of ISWAP who had claimed to have renounced insurgency roughly five years ago, but are now suspected of resuming recruitment activities.
Following their arrest, the suspects were handed over to the Military Intelligence Regiment for further interrogation and legal action. Military sources said the move underscores a broader strategy to not only dismantle active combat elements of extremist groups but also to cut off their replenishment pipelines and influence over vulnerable communities.
ISWAP, a faction of the larger Boko Haram insurgency that has waged a long-running campaign of violence across Nigeria’s North East, has increasingly turned to recruitment and radicalisation as part of its efforts to sustain operations despite sustained military pressure. Borno State, in particular, remains one of the epicentres of terrorist activity and community destabilisation, with groups like ISWAP and Boko Haram continuing to exploit socio-economic vulnerabilities to attract new fighters.
The arrests come amid ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Armed Forces and allied security agencies to suppress insurgency networks through combined kinetic and intelligence-driven operations. In recent months, troops under Operation Hadin Kai and other task forces have reported a series of operational gains, including the neutralisation of insurgents, interception of weapons and logistics supplies, and arrests of suspected collaborators. Such operations reflect a sustained commitment by the federal government to weaken extremist groups and restore relative stability to affected communities across Borno and neighbouring states.
Despite these security gains, the insurgency continues to pose serious challenges. Analysts note that militant groups have adapted to pressure from conventional military offensives by shifting tactics, including clandestine recruitment, use of improvised explosive devices, and exploitation of border communities. Continued arrests of recruitment agents and suspected collaborators are seen as critical to disrupting the cycle of radicalisation and preventing the emergence of new fighters.
Residents in Borno’s Banki area welcomed the arrests, describing the activities of extremist recruiters as a persistent threat to youths who are often drawn in by promises of financial gain or protection. Community leaders have repeatedly urged security agencies to maintain vigilance and enhance engagement with local populations to build trust and encourage timely reporting of suspicious activities.
The broader context of the insurgency reveals a complex web of militant activity spanning Nigeria’s North East and beyond. ISWAP, an offshoot of Boko Haram that aligned itself with the Islamic State group, has been implicated in numerous attacks targeting military installations, humanitarian workers, and civilian populations, contributing to one of Africa’s most protracted internal security crises. Government and international partners have invested heavily in counter-terrorism measures, yet challenges persist due to the adaptability of the groups and the region’s difficult terrain.
Military and government officials have consistently emphasised that intelligence-led operations like the recent arrests are essential to degrading terror networks and preventing the spread of extremist ideology. By isolating recruitment nodes and cutting off pathways for new fighters, authorities believe they can accelerate the weakening of insurgent capabilities and create conditions for lasting peace and reconstruction.
The arrest of the three suspected recruiters also highlights the interplay between local community cooperation and formal security responses. In Banki, the tip-off by the District Head not only facilitated the successful operation but also demonstrated the crucial role that civic actors can play in supporting national security efforts. This aligns with broader counter-extremism strategies that prioritise community engagement and grassroots resistance to violent ideologies.
As the suspects undergo further interrogation and potential prosecution, authorities are expected to provide periodic updates on the investigation and any additional leads that may arise. Observers will be watching closely to assess whether this operation results in further disruption of ISWAP’s recruitment and operational networks in Borno and neighbouring regions.
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