Army nabs wanted soldier while fleeing to Cameroon 

The Nigerian Army has arrested a soldier who was recently declared wanted over his alleged involvement in the illegal sale and supply of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminals.

The suspect, Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, Lagos, was arrested on Sunday by troops of the 7 Provost Group, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Capt. Mohammed Goni, said in a statement.

According to Goni, the soldier was apprehended at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri while attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect absconded from his unit on July 7, 2026, and subsequently relocated to Maiduguri, where he reportedly went into hiding in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area with the assistance of an associate.

“The arrest underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to holding personnel accountable for actions that undermine military ethics, discipline and national security,” Goni said.

He added that the suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where further investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of his activities and identify other individuals who may have been involved.

Goni reiterated that there is no safe haven for anyone who supports terrorism or any form of criminality, regardless of their status.

He said the military remains committed to upholding professionalism, accountability and the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of ongoing counter-insurgency operations.

The Army also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to restoring lasting peace and security across the theatre of operations.