Teenager Held by Troops in Borno Linked to ISWAP Operations in Jilli

Troops operating under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have successfully detained a 15-year-old individual accused of acting as a logistics courier for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The arrest took place in Ngamdu, Borno State, and the suspect has been linked to recent insurgent activities and ongoing Nigerian military airstrikes targeting terrorist bases in the Jilli region.

According to security sources, the suspect, identified as Tijjani, was captured on Sunday, April 12, 2026, while allegedly in the process of acquiring supplies for ISWAP fighters active along the Ngamdu-Benisheik corridor.

During initial questioning, the teenager reportedly admitted to participating in the attacks that occurred in Benisheik and Ngamdu on the preceding Thursday.

"My name is Tijjani, I am 15 years old. I was arrested today in Ngamdu. I was among the terrorists that attacked Benisheik and Ngamdu," the suspect stated during interrogation.

He further disclosed that the group had mobilized from Jilli, which is recognized as a significant insurgent hub in the Gubio Local Government Area, before carrying out the assaults, and subsequently returned to the same location.

"Before the attack we came from Jilli and returned there after the attack," he recounted.

The arrested suspect also revealed that he had been dispatched from Jilli the previous day with 850,000 Naira to purchase provisions for other combatants.

"I was sent from Jilli yesterday with N850,000 to collect some logistics from Ngamdu, but I was arrested by troops," Tijjani said.

He indicated that he had left other fighters at the Jilli enclave but expressed uncertainty about their status following the recent military aerial bombardments in the area.

"I left my colleagues at Jilli yesterday. I don’t know what has happened to them there," he commented.

Military officials suggested that the apprehension of this young courier offers valuable insights into the operational framework and supply chain of ISWAP within the affected region, highlighting Jilli's critical role as a staging point and distribution center.

This development closely follows a significant operation by the Air Component of OPHK, which conducted targeted airstrikes on the Jilli axis just 24 hours prior, successfully dismantling a major ISWAP logistics base and resulting in the elimination of numerous insurgents.

The airstrikes were executed after extensive Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions identified a concentration of motorcycles and vehicles belonging to insurgents and their supply personnel.

Reports from the field confirmed the destruction of at least two motorcycles and one vehicle, with several terrorists reportedly killed during the operation.

Some insurgents were observed seeking cover upon the approach of the aircraft but were later seen returning in the evening to retrieve casualties.

Military authorities have consistently identified Jilli as a contested territory, often described as a "no man's land" under insurgent control, where activities such as the alleged weekly market serve as critical points for logistics and coordination of terrorist operations.

The capture of the teenage suspect, who confessed to transporting funds and facilitating the movement of supplies, underscores the dependency of insurgent groups on individuals, including minors, to sustain their operational capacity.