Nigerian Army Nabs Four ISWAP Spies in Adamawa

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested four individuals suspected of serving as informants for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Adamawa State, a development that underscores the military’s relentless push against terrorist networks in Nigeria’s Northeast.

The operation unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday in Madagali Local Government Area, a volatile border region prone to cross-border incursions from ISWAP fighters operating from neighboring Cameroon and Borno State. According to a statement from the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 7th Division, Major Muhammad Suleiman, the suspects were nabbed during a coordinated intelligence-led raid based on credible tips from local communities and surveillance operations.

The quartet—identified as Mustapha Ali (32), Ibrahim Musa (28), Aisha Bulama (25), and Yusuf Mohammed (30)—allegedly provided vital intelligence to ISWAP commanders, including troop movements, civilian hideouts, and potential targets for ambushes. Preliminary investigations revealed they communicated via encrypted satellite phones and coded messages, relaying information that could have facilitated deadly attacks on military outposts and soft targets.

This arrest marks a significant blow to ISWAP’s logistical backbone in Adamawa, where the group has intensified recruitment and espionage efforts following recent military gains in Borno and Yobe. Army sources disclosed that the suspects confessed to receiving payments in cash and supplies from ISWAP handlers across the border, with one informant admitting to tipping off militants about a patrol in nearby Gombi last month, which was narrowly averted.

The operation involved joint teams from the 23rd Brigade and elements of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), highlighting the effectiveness of community partnerships in intelligence gathering. Items recovered include two AK-47 rifles, 120 rounds of ammunition, ISWAP propaganda materials, and multiple SIM cards used for covert communications.

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In a broader context, ISWAP—a splinter faction of Boko Haram—has ramped up activities in Adamawa since mid-2025, exploiting porous borders and economic hardships to expand influence. Recent reports from the International Crisis Group note over 50 informant-led disruptions foiled by Nigerian forces this year alone, with Adamawa emerging as a key transit hub for arms smuggling.

The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. The suspects are undergoing further interrogation at a military facility in Yola, with potential prosecution under anti-terrorism laws pending.

This development comes amid heightened military offensives under Operation Hadin Kai, which has neutralized over 200 terrorists and rescued 150 hostages in the Northeast in the past quarter, per official tallies.