Suspected ISWAP Terrorist Arrested By Nigerian Army, Claims He 'Planned To Surrender Immediately After Ramadan Fast'

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected ISWAP member who was transporting motorcycle tyres and other maintenance spare parts from the Timbuktu Triangle, military sources confirmed on Thursday.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed his affiliation with the group. 

“I am from the Markas of Kauwa under the leadership of Hamzala and assisted by Abu Umar. I buy the tyres from Bajoga in Gombe State and navigate through Kukuwa, Gumsa, Azare and cross to Buratai before returning to Timbuktu," the suspect said in a video posted by security analyst Zagazola Makama. 

“I buy the MCs tyres for 13,000 naira and sell for 25,000 naira as a wholesale. I also buy plugs for 3,000 naira and sell for 600 while we buy at 350 in Nigeria.”

The suspect further disclosed that some ISWAP commanders had recently been neutralised in Timbuktu, naming Ibba, Dusula, and Farouk enclaves as affected locations.

Asked about his intentions to leave the group, he reportedly said: “I was planning to surrender immediately after the Ramadan fast, but unfortunately, I was caught.”

Military command at Operation HADIM KAI highlights ongoing efforts by the troops to disrupt logistics and supply chains that support insurgent activities across the North-East region.

The operation is part of broader intelligence-led measures to weaken the operational capacity of ISWAP in the region.