By Harriet Tornguvan
The Nigerian Navy has recorded another breakthrough in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign in the North-East, following the arrest of a suspected terrorist collaborator during an intelligence-driven operation in the Lake Chad region.
The arrest was carried out by personnel of the Naval Base Lake Chad (NBLC) operating under Operation HADIN KAI after a tactical drone surveillance mission identified the suspect's movements and interactions with terrorist elements.
In a statement, the Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the operation took place on June 1, 2026, during an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission conducted within the Lake Chad area of operations.
According to him, naval personnel monitoring the area observed a suspicious individual, later identified as Baba Saidu Abdullahi, emerging from a location where terrorist elements had earlier been sighted.
"Further surveillance revealed interactions between the suspect and armed terrorists before he departed the area," Folorunsho stated.
The Navy spokesman explained that the suspect was subsequently tracked in real time from the Dumba axis to the vicinity of Charlie Company, 196 Amphibious Battalion, where he was apprehended by security personnel.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Abdullahi frequently moved between Dumba and Baga Town and allegedly maintained contact with terrorist elements operating within the area.
The investigation further suggested that he played a logistical support role for the terrorists through the procurement and transportation of essential supplies.
A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of personal effects and other items considered relevant to ongoing investigations.
Following preliminary interrogation, the suspect was handed over to the appropriate military authorities for further investigation and necessary action in line with established procedures.
Folorunsho said the successful operation highlights the increasing importance of intelligence-led and technology-driven operations in combating terrorism and enhancing situational awareness across the Lake Chad region.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy's commitment to supporting joint military operations under Operation HADIN KAI, noting that the service would continue to deploy available assets and capabilities to deny terrorist groups freedom of action while contributing to the restoration of peace and security in the North-East.
The latest arrest comes amid sustained efforts by the Armed Forces and other security agencies to dismantle terrorist networks and disrupt their supply chains across the Lake Chad Basin and other parts of the North-East.
