Nigerian troops arrest three suspected ISWAP recruiters in Borno border town

Nigerian troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai have arrested three men suspected of recruiting young people for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Banki, a border community in Borno State, security sources say.

The arrests were carried out on Saturday following intelligence reportedly supplied by the district head of Banki, according to Zagazola Makama, a security-focused platform that monitors developments around the Lake Chad region.

Security officials said intelligence operatives conducted a targeted operation, leading to the detention of the suspects while they were allegedly attempting to enlist youths and arrange their movement for militant training.

The men were identified as Gajibo Kayama (23), Tahiru Modu (22) and Bulama Modu (24).

Alleged youth recruitment for ISWAP cells

According to the report, the suspects are believed to have been recruiting young people aged 17 to 20 from Banki town for ISWAP fighters operating in parts of Adamawa State.

Preliminary findings suggest the trio were previously linked to ISWAP and had claimed to have disengaged from the group about five years ago. They are now accused of returning to recruitment activities, raising concerns among local authorities about renewed extremist influence in the area.

Following their arrest, the suspects were transferred to a military intelligence unit for detailed interrogation and further investigation.

Operation Hadin Kai is the Nigerian military’s flagship counter-insurgency operation in the North-East, where troops continue efforts to dismantle militant networks, disrupt recruitment pipelines and stabilise communities affected by years of insurgency.