Army Troops Intercept Woman, Child Allegedly Heading to Terrorist Enclave in Borno

Troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a 20-year-old woman while she was allegedly attempting to gain access to a suspected terrorist enclave near the Mandara Mountains in Borno State.

The woman, identified as Aisha Idrisa, was intercepted during a routine picketing operation along the Gwoza–Pulka Road, according to security analyst Zagazola Makama.

Makama disclosed the development in a post on his X account, stating that the suspect was accompanied by her two-year-old child, identified as Musbahu Christopher, at the time of her arrest.

He explained that the interception occurred near the foothills of the Mandara Mountains, an area that has remained a major operational base for remnants of terrorist groups operating along the Nigeria–Cameroon border.

According to him, troops became suspicious of the woman’s movement and subjected her to preliminary questioning after stopping her at the checkpoint.

Items reportedly recovered from the suspect included an Itel mobile phone, an extra battery and personal clothing.

Makama said the woman initially claimed she was travelling to her farm, but intelligence available to security personnel allegedly indicated that she was attempting to enter a terrorist-controlled enclave.

Based on the intelligence, troops took her into custody for further investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding her movement and any possible links to terrorist activities.

He added that the suspect remains in the custody of the 26 Task Force Brigade, where she is undergoing interrogation and other necessary investigative procedures.

The security expert noted that the arrest forms part of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to prevent the movement of terrorists, logistics suppliers and suspected collaborators within conflict-prone areas of the North East.

He explained that troops have continued to intensify surveillance and clearance operations around the Mandara Mountains to deny insurgent groups freedom of movement and dismantle their remaining strongholds.

The military has sustained operations across the region as part of efforts to weaken terrorist networks and improve security in communities affected by insurgency.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Army had not issued an official statement on the incident, while investigations into the suspect’s activities were ongoing.