Nigerian Military Arrests Four Pakistani Nationals Over Terror Training Links in North East

iNewsAfrica | Abuja Bureau | May 28, 2025

In a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, the Nigerian military has apprehended four Pakistani nationals accused of aiding and training insurgents in the North East. Authorities allege they were providing technical expertise to Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters, including drone and IED operations.

Maiduguri, Nigeria – The Nigerian Army has arrested four Pakistani nationals in the country’s troubled North East region for allegedly training and equipping terrorists affiliated with Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed the arrest during a press briefing at the military command in Borno State. He revealed that the suspects were directly involved in providing advanced tactical training to insurgents, including the use of drones, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and guerrilla ambush techniques.

“These foreign actors have deepened the capacity of terrorist groups to launch sophisticated attacks against both our military and civilian targets,” said General Abubakar. “This is no longer just a fight against insurgents—it is a battle against foreign-sponsored warfare targeting Nigeria’s sovereignty.”

The arrests followed a string of coordinated intelligence operations in Borno and Yobe states, where Nigerian forces have intensified surveillance amid rising cross-border activities by foreign operatives.

Military sources disclosed that the Pakistani nationals were embedded within local communities under the guise of humanitarian workers and were closely monitoring troop movements while coordinating with terror cells.

Authorities fear the involvement of foreign mercenaries is fuelling a new wave of violence, contributing to the recent spike in military casualties and destruction of vital infrastructure.

The army has called for enhanced regional cooperation with neighboring countries to dismantle cross-border terror networks and prevent further infiltration by foreign extremists.

“This arrest is a wake-up call. We must build a regional intelligence firewall against external enablers of terrorism,” General Abubakar emphasized.

The suspects are currently undergoing military interrogation and will be handed over to appropriate authorities for prosecution under Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws.

iNewsAfrica will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as investigations progress.