He rears camels – Nigerian army says as it clears man detained over alleged ISIS links

The Nigerian Army has said a man who was detained during a military operation in Borno State over suspected links to ISIS has been cleared after investigators found no evidence connecting him to any terrorist group.

The clarification follows media reports published on July 14 that identified the individual as a terror suspect after he was intercepted by troops of the 68 Battalion during an operation conducted after an attack on Cross Kauwa. In a statement issued on Thursday, July 23, Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, identified the man as Aboubakar Muhammad Zein-Nur, also known as Houdairi.

According to the army, Zein-Nur was taken into custody because he was intercepted under circumstances considered suspicious in an area where terrorist groups are known to use border routes for movement and logistics. He said: “The individual has now been identified as Aboubakar Muhammad Zein-Nur, also known as Houdairi. In view of the prevailing security environment and the exploitation of border corridors by terrorist elements for movement and logistics, troops acted in accordance with established operational procedures by taking him into custody for profiling and further investigation.”

The army said intelligence assessments and other investigative procedures found no evidence linking him to any known terrorist organisation. He said: “Comprehensive intelligence assessments and other investigative processes did not establish that the individual has any affiliation to any known terrorist group. Investigations further confirmed that he is a resident of Shattu Anguba Village in Bosso, Republic of Niger, who engages in camel rearing beyond the River Komadougou.”

The military said the findings had cleared Zein-Nur of any terrorist links. He said: “Operation Hadin Kai has consequently cleared the individual of any terrorist links. The Theatre Command reiterates that all persons intercepted under suspicious circumstances during military operations are subjected to due process and appropriate security screening to ensure that innocent civilians are distinguished from terrorist elements.”

The army also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting counter-insurgency operations professionally while respecting the rights of civilians.