The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has confirmed the arrest of a Chinese national and five Nigerians in Borno State over suspected involvement in terrorism-related activities.
The arrests were made between June 5 and 7, 2025, during counterterrorism operations by troops of the Nigerian Armed Forces operating in Kukawa and Ngala Local Government Areas of Borno State, and Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, where he provided updates on ongoing military operations nationwide.
According to Kangye, the five Nigerian suspects were identified as logistics suppliers and collaborators working with terrorist groups. The Chinese national, who claimed to be a miner, was apprehended under suspicious circumstances.
“Troops arrested five terrorist logistics suppliers, collaborators, and a Chinese national claiming to be a miner during well-coordinated operations. Items recovered include a vehicle, a motorcycle, mobile phones, a Chinese international passport, and the sum of ₦10,000,” Kangye stated.
He raised concerns about the foreigner’s presence in an active conflict zone under military surveillance.
“Anyone caught in such an area must be properly scrutinised. Criminals typically deny involvement, but the real question is: what brought him to that location during an ongoing military operation?” he asked.
Kangye confirmed that the Chinese national is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation, noting that a thorough investigation is underway.
“Once concluded, the public will be informed of his reasons for being there, the circumstances surrounding his arrest, and any possible links to terrorist groups,” he added.
Addressing public concerns that military forces are often slow to respond to distress calls, especially in remote areas, Kangye said such criticisms often overlook operational realities.
“People must understand that troops are not stationed in every village. Many incidents occur 10 to 15 kilometres from the nearest military base. Before a response can be initiated, a unit must be designated, a commander identified, and logistics secured. These take time,” he explained.
He likened the military’s deployment process to triaging patients in a busy hospital, noting that limited resources and varying urgency levels influence response times.
“You might feel neglected if you don’t understand the internal priorities, but that does not mean we are not taking action. Let’s not be quick to label our troops as slow. They are working under extremely difficult conditions and remain committed to responding to every call,” he said.
Major General Kangye reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty through strategic and well-coordinated operations.
“Our goal remains the safety of all Nigerians and the protection of their property. By adhering to the rule of law and partnering with the public through both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, we are creating an environment where citizens can thrive without fear,” he noted.
He highlighted the progress made in other theatres of operation, particularly Operation Delta Safe, where troops recently foiled attempts to steal crude oil and dismantled illegal refining sites valued at an estimated ₦146.6 million.
