Troops neutralise suspected ISWAP spy in Borno

Troops of the Nigerian military have killed a suspected operative of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who allegedly attempted to infiltrate a defensive position in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.

Security sources said the incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. on July 11, after surveillance systems detected a suspicious individual approaching the military location from the Yuwe axis of the Sambisa Forest.

According to the sources, the suspect was believed to be conducting reconnaissance on the troops’ position.

“Personnel deployed on ambush were immediately alerted and engaged the suspect as he attempted to infiltrate the defensive location, leading to his neutralisation,” a source said.

Military officials noted that the operation underscores the effectiveness of surveillance technology and coordinated ground responses in detecting and preventing potential attacks on troop formations.

The development is part of a series of recent counter-insurgency successes recorded in the North-East.

In June, troops arrested a suspected ISWAP informant, identified as Muhammad Shuaibu, over an alleged plot to attack two military formations in Borno State. He was apprehended during a routine patrol about 500 metres from the defensive perimeter of a military base.

Similarly, two other suspected ISWAP operatives were killed in June while reportedly attempting to cross into Nigeria from Cameroon through a border route in Borno.

The military has continued to intensify surveillance and intelligence operations in the region to curb infiltration attempts and dismantle insurgent networks.