Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested two suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP collaborators during an intelligence-led operation in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State, marking another significant blow against the support networks that sustain terrorist operations in the North-East. The operation was carried out at about 5:08 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, by troops of the 109 Special Forces Battalion in conjunction with Hybrid Forces, following credible intelligence received from the Hybrid Forces Headquarters in Maiduguri.
The suspects, identified as Modu Collu, 20, and Bashir Goni Tijani, 47, both residents of Magumeri town, were taken into custody during the early morning raid. According to military sources, preliminary interrogation revealed that both men allegedly confessed to collaborating with Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists operating in the area. The arrest of the two suspects is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the intelligence and logistics networks that enable terrorist groups to carry out attacks and abductions across the region.
During the operation, troops recovered one Tecno mobile phone belonging to Modu Collu, which has been taken into custody for further exploitation. Intelligence analysts are expected to examine the phone for contacts, communication records, and other data that could lead to the identification of additional collaborators and terrorist cells operating in the Magumeri axis. The suspects and the recovered exhibit are being processed and will be handed over to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC) for further investigation.
The operation is part of Operation DESERT SANITY V, a sustained military campaign targeting terrorist support networks, logistics, and local collaborators across the North-East. The operation, which is being conducted under the broader framework of Operation HADIN KAI, has intensified efforts to cut off the supply lines and intelligence channels that have allowed Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) to maintain their grip on parts of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
Magumeri Local Government Area has been identified as a hotspot for terrorist activity, with insurgents often relying on local collaborators for food, information, and safe passage. The arrest of Modu Collu and Bashir Goni Tijani underscores the persistent challenge of rooting out informants and sympathisers who operate within communities, providing logistical support and intelligence to insurgent groups. Military authorities have repeatedly warned that the fight against terrorism cannot be won solely through kinetic operations; it must also target the networks that sustain the insurgency.
The arrest comes amid broader counter-terrorism operations in the North-East, where troops have continued to record successes against terrorist elements. In recent weeks, security forces have intensified intelligence-led operations, resulting in the arrest of several suspected collaborators and the recovery of weapons and equipment. The military has also stepped up efforts to encourage communities to report suspicious activities and to cooperate with security forces in the fight against terrorism.
Military authorities have described the security situation in the region as relatively calm but unpredictable, while troops continue to maintain high morale and operational readiness. The troops of the 109 Special Forces Battalion and the Hybrid Forces have been commended for their professionalism and vigilance in executing the operation. The successful arrest of the two suspects is expected to provide valuable intelligence that could lead to further arrests and the disruption of terrorist networks in the area.
The Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC), which serves as the central hub for intelligence coordination in the North-East, is expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the suspects' activities and their connections to terrorist groups. The JIFC has played a critical role in coordinating intelligence-sharing among security agencies and has been instrumental in several successful operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP.
As the investigation continues, the military has reiterated its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorists and their collaborators in the region. The arrest of Modu Collu and Bashir Goni Tijani serves as a warning to those who choose to support terrorist groups: the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with them. For the people of Magumeri and the wider North-East, the arrest offers a measure of hope that the fight against terrorism is making progress, even as the broader campaign continues.
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