Omanghana
The Nigerian military has arrested a 36-year-old Ghanaian woman, identified as Mary Florence, alongside a suspected Sudanese terrorist fighter during an intelligence-led counter-terrorism operation in Borno State.
The operation was carried out on July 19, 2026, at approximately 11:48 a.m. by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion operating under Operation Hadin Kai, Nigeria’s ongoing military campaign against insurgent groups in the country’s North-East.
Operation Conducted in Askira/Uba
According to military reports, the operation took place in the Lassa and Dille general area of the Askira/Uba Local Government Area, a region that has witnessed prolonged insurgent activity.
Security forces arrested Mary Florence together with Musa Fashir, a 32-year-old Sudanese national who preliminary intelligence identifies as a suspected foreign terrorist fighter and alleged collaborator with insurgent groups operating in the region.
The arrests followed intelligence gathered as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist activities and prevent the movement of foreign fighters into conflict zones.
Ghanaian Woman Claims to Be Illegal Immigrant
During initial interrogation, Mary Florence reportedly told military investigators that she is an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed how long she had been in Nigeria or the circumstances that led to her presence in the insurgency-prone area.
Military officials emphasized that her statement remains subject to verification as investigations continue.
Military Investigating Possible Links
Both suspects are currently being held in military custody, where they are undergoing profiling, screening, and interrogation.
Investigators are working to establish their identities, determine their immigration status, and assess whether either suspect has links to terrorist organizations, insurgent groups, or transnational criminal networks operating within the Lake Chad Basin.
Security agencies are particularly focused on understanding how the Ghanaian national came to be in the company of the suspected Sudanese fighter and whether her presence in the area was connected to any criminal or extremist activities.
Counter-Terrorism Efforts Intensified
The Nigerian military said the arrests reflect its continued determination to prevent the infiltration of foreign nationals who may provide logistical, operational, or financial support to insurgent groups.
Operation Hadin Kai has intensified intelligence-led operations across Nigeria’s North-East in recent months as security forces seek to dismantle terrorist networks and strengthen border security.
Officials noted that investigations remain ongoing and that additional information will be released as the inquiry progresses.
At this stage, authorities have not announced any formal charges against Mary Florence, and there has been no official confirmation of her alleged involvement in terrorist activities. The investigation is expected to determine whether she had any direct or indirect links to insurgent or criminal networks.
The arrests highlight the continued security challenges facing the region and the importance of cross-border cooperation in combating terrorism and transnational crime across West Africa.
Source: Omanghana
