A 36-year-old Ghanaian woman has been arrested by the Nigerian military in Borno State as part of an operation targeting suspected terrorist collaborators in the country’s North East.
The suspect, identified as Mary Florence, was apprehended together with a 32-year-old Sudanese national, Musa Fashir, during an intelligence-led operation conducted in the Lassa-Dille area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area under Operation Hadin Kai.
The arrests were announced in a statement issued by the Nigerian Army on Monday, July 20, 2026. The statement, signed by Acting Military Information Officer Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operation was carried out by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion at about 11:48 a.m. on Sunday, July 19.
According to the military, preliminary intelligence suggests that Musa Fashir is suspected of being a foreign terrorist fighter with alleged links to insurgent groups operating in the region.
The army also stated that Mary Florence claimed to be an undocumented immigrant from Ghana. However, security agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding her presence in the area and are working to verify the claims she made during her arrest.
“During the operation, troops arrested one Musa Fashir, a 32-year-old Sudanese national suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator. Preliminary intelligence indicates that the suspect has established links with terrorist elements, further highlighting attempts by foreign actors to support insurgent activities in the region.
“Troops also apprehended Mary Florence, 36 years, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana. The circumstances surrounding her presence in the area, as well as the authenticity of her claims, are currently under investigation,” the statement said.
The Nigerian military said both suspects remain in custody while investigations continue. Authorities are conducting profiling and interrogations to establish their identities and determine whether they have any links to terrorist organisations or other criminal networks.
According to the military, the arrests form part of ongoing efforts under Operation Hadin Kai to dismantle terrorist networks, prevent the movement of foreign fighters and strengthen security across Nigeria’s North East.
The army added that the operation demonstrates its continued commitment to combating insurgency and safeguarding communities affected by terrorist activities.
OPERATION HADIN KAI TROOPS APPREHEND ANOTHER FOREIGN TERRORIST FIGHTER, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN BORNO
Troops of Sector 4 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), while sustaining aggressive counter-terrorism operations across the North East Theatre, have apprehended another foreign terrorist… pic.twitter.com/Cw1V3vbz29
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) July 20, 2026
