Nigerian military arrests personnel aiding terrorism in north east .
The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the arrest of four individuals accused of supplying logistics to terrorists in the North-East, including two members of the hybrid forces who had been working alongside troops in counterinsurgency operations.
The arrests were made during a coordinated military operation conducted between April 26 and 29 across Bama, Kukawa, and Madagali local government areas in Borno and Adamawa states. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed that the two hybrid force personnel were found to be aiding terrorist logistics, marking a serious breach of trust within the military ranks.
Kangye expressed deep concern over what he described as a betrayal and warned military commanders to intensify the sensitisation of personnel, particularly hybrid force members, against actions that could undermine ongoing operations against insurgents.
He noted that, “In a well-coordinated operation conducted from 26–29 April 2025 in Bama, Kukawa, and Madagali LGAs of Borno and Adamawa States, troops intercepted four terrorists’ logistics suppliers. Sadly, two of them were confirmed to be members of the hybrid forces.”
Beyond the arrests, Kangye reported that troops, in collaboration with hybrid forces, carried out a series of offensive operations including raids, clearance missions, and fighting patrols in Gwoza, Dikwa, Bama, Chibok, Gujba, Geidam, and Yunusari local government areas. Several terrorists were killed, six kidnapped victims were rescued, and weapons, ammunition, motorcycles, and bicycles were recovered.
In the South-South region, the military also recorded significant progress in its campaign against oil theft and illegal refining. According to Kangye, over 86,000 litres of stolen crude oil, 72,000 litres of illegally refined diesel, and more than 2,600 litres of petrol were recovered. Troops also dismantled numerous illegal refining sites and seized boats, tricycles, vehicles, storage tanks, and mobile phones used in the illicit operations
