Nigerian security forces have arrested a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Damboa, Borno State, following intelligence on a suspicious telephone conversation. The operation was conducted by troops of the 25 Brigade in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a local militia supporting counter-insurgency efforts in northeastern Nigeria.
The arrest occurred at approximately 6:30 p.m. on March 18. According to Zagazola Makama, a Lake Chad region security analyst who disclosed the development via the social media platform X, the suspect was targeted after intelligence intercepted a call with another alleged terrorist. The individual, a resident of the Damboa area, is alleged to be an ISWAP member who claimed during preliminary interrogation to have disengaged from active operations.
The suspect and his mobile phone are now in military custody for further investigation. Authorities have not released the individual’s identity. This incident underscores the continued reliance on human and signals intelligence to identify and apprehend terrorist operatives in a region where violent extremist groups maintain a presence despite prolonged military campaigns.
ISWAP, a faction of the Islamic State, remains a primary security threat in the Lake Chad basin, which spans parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The group emerged from the Nigerian terrorist organization Boko Haram and has been responsible for numerous attacks on military installations and civilian communities, contributing to a protracted humanitarian crisis.
The CJTF, composed largely of local volunteers, plays a critical role in providing ground intelligence and supporting army operations, particularly in areas where regular troops may have limited reach. Their collaboration with the military is a key component of the region’s counter-terrorism strategy.
Military authorities have reiterated their commitment to intelligence-driven operations aimed at tracking and dismantling remaining terrorist cells across Borno State and the wider northeastern region. The arrest highlights ongoing efforts to degrade the command and control structures of extremist groups, even as they reportedly splinter and adapt. Further investigation will determine the validity of the suspect’s claimed disengagement and his precise role within ISWAP’s network.
