Nigerian Soldiers Arrest Chinese National During Anti-Terror Operation In Borno

The Nigerian military says it has taken a Chinese man into custody during an anti-terror sweep in Borno State.

The arrest happened between June 5 and 7 during coordinated raids by troops in Kukawa and Ngala Local Government Areas of Borno, as well as Geidam in Yobe State.

According to the Defence Headquarters, the man, who says he’s a miner, was picked up in an area under active military operation. His identity hasn’t been made public yet, but he is currently being questioned to determine why he was in the conflict zone and if he has any connection to terrorist activities.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, confirmed the arrest during a press briefing in Abuja.

Kangye explained that five other people suspected of supplying materials to terrorists were also captured during the operation.

According to him, troops recovered items such as a vehicle, motorcycle, phones, a Chinese international passport, and ₦10,000 in cash.

He said, “Arrest of Terrorist Collaborators: Troops arrested five terrorists logistics suppliers, collaborators, and a Chinese national claiming to be a miner during well-coordinated operations conducted in Kukawa and Ngala LGAs of Borno State, as well as Geidam LGA of Yobe State between 5 and 7 June 2025.

“Amongst the items recovered were a vehicle, a motorcycle, mobile phones, a Chinese International passport, while the sum of N10,000.00 was also recovered from them.”

Kangye questioned the suspect’s presence in an area under military operation saying, “Anybody that is caught, just like you know with criminals, they will just deny involvement. But the question is: what brought him there at the time of arrest? Why was he in an operational area where our troops were conducting operations?”

This incident comes just days after four Pakistani nationals were arrested in the same region, allegedly for training terrorist groups.

General Kangye said investigations are ongoing and promised that the full picture would be made public once authorities wrap up their inquiries.

“The Chinese national has been detained and is undergoing interrogation. Once the investigation is concluded, we will furnish the public with full details—why he was there, how he was arrested, and whether he had accomplices,” he added.

Kangye also addressed public complaints that troops are slow to respond when communities are attacked. He said this criticism doesn’t reflect the real challenges troops face in the field.

“People must understand that our troops are not in every village,” he said.

“Sometimes, incidents occur 10 to 15 kilometres from the nearest military base. Before deployment, the appropriate subunit must be identified, a commander appointed, and vehicles and supplies secured. All of this takes time.”

He compared the situation to how hospitals triage patients adding that “You might feel neglected if you don’t understand the internal priorities, but it doesn’t mean action isn’t being taken.”

Kangye further assured Nigerians that every distress call is taken seriously, and the military remains focused on safeguarding lives and restoring peace in troubled areas.

“Let’s not rush to label our troops as slow. They are working under tough conditions, and I can assure you—they respond when called upon,” Kangye said.

KanyiDaily recalls that suspected Boko Haram fighters recently launched a deadly attack on a Nigerian Army base in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State early Monday morning.