A suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operative is now in military custody and will be handed to 19 Military Intelligence for further probing.
Troops from the 101 Special Forces Battalion detained a 60-year-old man identified as Mallam Garba Audi at about 9:55 a.m. on September 3, 2026, along the Cross-Kukawa road in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. Counter-terrorism expert Zagazola Makama reported the arrest on X, saying it followed human intelligence about a possible movement from Monguno toward Kukawa.
According to the account, soldiers increased surveillance around their defensive position after receiving the tip. They encountered Audi while he was walking along the Cross-Kukawa road and took him into custody. During initial questioning the suspect said he had lost his way after travelling from Digimari in northern Borno.
Troops recovered several cement bags from the man, which contained clothing and mosquito nets. The items and the detainee remain with the unit pending formal handover. Makama wrote that the military will transfer the suspect and the seized material to the 19 Military Intelligence Regiment for follow-up investigation.
The operation underlines continued security activity along the Kukawa corridor, where forces say human intelligence is guiding targeted patrols. The 101 Special Forces Battalion’s action converted an intelligence lead into an arrest and the seizure of goods now subject to military review.
What happens next is a formal move to intelligence authorities who will conduct detailed interviews and forensic checks on the recovered items. The transfer to 19 Military Intelligence opens the next phase of inquiry, which will determine whether Audi is linked to ISWAP operations or was travelling for other reasons.
