Uthman Ogunfolaji
A suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) has revealed that he intended to surrender to security forces after the Ramadan fast, but was intercepted by the Nigerian Army before he could act on his plan.
Troops operating under Operation HADIN KAI arrested the insurgent while he was transporting motorcycle tyres and other maintenance spare parts from the Timbuktu Triangle, military sources confirmed on Thursday.
During interrogation, the suspect admitted his affiliation with ISWAP, saying, “I am from the Markas of Kauwa under the leadership of Hamzala and assisted by Abu Umar.
“I buy tyres from Bajoga in Gombe State, travel through Kukuwa, Gumsa, Azare, cross to Buratai, and return to Timbuktu,” according to a video shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama.
He further disclosed that he made significant profits from the trade: “I buy the MC tyres for ₦13,000 and sell them for ₦25,000 wholesale. I also buy plugs for ₦350 in Nigeria and sell at ₦600, while some cost ₦3,000 elsewhere.”
The suspect also provided intelligence on ISWAP’s weakened positions, revealing that several commanders had recently been neutralised in Ibba, Dusula, and Farouk enclaves.
Military officials said the arrest highlights the army’s continued efforts to disrupt insurgents’ supply chains and logistics networks in the North-East, stressing that intelligence-led operations remain central to degrading ISWAP’s operational capacity.
Security experts described the arrest as a major intelligence victory, noting that preventing insurgents from regrouping or surrendering on their own can help reduce the risk of retaliation or renewed attacks.
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