Troops detain suspected ISWAP member found with Starlink device in Borno

 Personnel of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI
have arrested a man suspected of having links to the Islamic State West Africa
Province (ISWAP) during a security operation in Munguno LGA of Borno State.

 

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency
publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the arrest took place at about 3pm
on Wednesday along the Maiduguri–Monguno highway, where troops were carrying
out routine surveillance and vehicle checks.

Makama said soldiers from the 212 Battalion, stationed at
Delta One, stopped the suspect after noticing what they described as suspicious
behaviour.

A search of his belongings led to the recovery of a Starlink
satellite internet terminal, a Wi-Fi router fitted with six access points, a
mobile phone and N1,000.

When questioned, the suspect reportedly told the troops that
he runs an internet service business in his community and that the equipment
was meant for commercial operations.

However, security officials said the circumstances
surrounding the suspect’s movements and the communication devices found in his
possession warranted further scrutiny.

He was subsequently taken into custody and transferred for
additional investigation.

The suspect and the recovered equipment have been handed
over to the Military Intelligence Brigade (7 MIB), where investigators are
expected to conduct detailed profiling and intelligence analysis to determine
whether he has any affiliation with ISWAP or Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati
wal-Jihad (JAS).

According to military sources, investigators will examine
the intended use of the Starlink terminal, establish whether it had already
been deployed, identify any associates and determine whether the equipment was
acquired to facilitate terrorist communications or logistical activities.

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