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Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a man suspected of spying for terrorists linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Kanama, Yobe State.
The arrest was disclosed in a post shared on X on Saturday by security analyst Zagazola Makama, who cited security sources.
According to the report, the suspect, identified as Malam Fantami, was apprehended by troops of the 159 Battalion working alongside members of the Civilian Joint Task Force during a security operation in Kanama, located in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Security sources said the suspect, who is a native of Dikwa in Borno State, was arrested following credible intelligence suggesting he might be working as an informant for terrorists operating in the North-East.
Items reportedly recovered from him at the time of the arrest included a mobile phone, a smartwatch, prayer beads, a motorcycle key and ₦7,000 in cash.
Sources further disclosed that a preliminary examination of the suspect’s phone by security personnel revealed several suspicious materials. These included photographs of motorcycles, large sums of money and AK-47 rifles, which raised further concerns among the troops.
“The discovery of these materials has raised serious suspicion about the suspect’s role as a possible logistics informant or intelligence asset for insurgent elements operating in the region,” the source said.
The suspect is currently in military custody and is undergoing further interrogation to determine the extent of his alleged involvement with terrorist groups and to identify possible collaborators.
The arrest is said to be part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations by troops in the North-East aimed at dismantling intelligence and logistics networks supporting insurgent activities.
