“I Planned to Surrender After Ramadan Fast” — Arrested ISWAP Suspect Tells Nigerian Troops

Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) who was allegedly transporting motorcycle tyres and maintenance spare parts from the Timbuktu Triangle.

Military sources confirmed the arrest on Thursday, saying the suspect was intercepted while moving items believed to support insurgent operations in the North-East.

During interrogation, the suspect admitted his affiliation with the group and described his role in procuring and delivering supplies used by fighters.

According to him, he operated from a base in Kauwa under a commander identified as Hamzala, assisted by Abu Umar. He said he purchased motorcycle tyres in Bajoga, Gombe State, and transported them through Kukuwa, Gumsa and Azare before crossing through Buratai and returning to the Timbuktu Triangle.

The suspect also outlined the pricing of the supplies. He said he bought motorcycle tyres for ₦13,000 and sold them for ₦25,000 wholesale. Spark plugs, he added, were purchased for about ₦350 and resold for around ₦600.

He further told investigators that several ISWAP commanders had recently been killed in the Timbuktu area, naming Ibba, Dusula and Farouk enclaves as locations affected by recent military operations.

In a video shared by security analyst Zagazola Makama, the suspect claimed he had intended to leave the group soon.

“I was planning to surrender immediately after the Ramadan fast, but unfortunately, I was caught,” he said.

Military authorities said the arrest highlights ongoing efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt logistics networks that support insurgent activity across the North-East.

The operation forms part of broader intelligence-led measures aimed at weakening ISWAP’s operational capacity in the region.