The Nigerian military has made a major breakthrough in its counter-terrorism operations with the arrest of four Pakistani nationals suspected of having strong ties to insurgent groups wreaking havoc in the country’s North-East region.
This startling revelation was made on Wednesday by the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, during a press briefing with defence correspondents at the operational headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to Major General Abubakar, preliminary investigations have unearthed disturbing details linking the foreign nationals to arms trafficking and the training of terrorist cells, particularly those affiliated with Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
“The infiltration of foreign mercenaries into the joint operations area has significantly escalated the threat posed by terrorist groups like ISWAP and JAS. The recent arrest of four Pakistani nationals, whose initial investigation suggests involvement in arms running with terrorists, is instructive,” the commander stated.
Even more alarming, Abubakar disclosed that these foreign operatives are equipping terrorists with advanced tactical knowledge, which has dramatically transformed the insurgents’ battlefield capabilities.
Among the dangerous upgrades brought in by these foreign actors are:
Use of drones for surveillance and targeted strikes,
Fabrication of advanced improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and
Sophisticated ambush traps targeting military personnel.
These developments, Abubakar warned, have amplified the lethality of the terrorists and prolonged the insurgency, posing a renewed danger to military personnel and civilians alike.
> “The involvement of these foreign elements has taken the conflict to a new level. Their knowledge of drone technology and bomb-making has given terrorist factions an edge in asymmetric warfare,” he said.
The commander emphasized that Nigeria is not just fighting internal insurrection, but is under assault from a network of transnational terror collaborators who see the country as a fertile ground for chaos and expansion.
To counter this, Major General Abubakar called for a unified international front, urging Nigeria’s regional allies and global partners to step up efforts in sharing intelligence, dismantling cross-border arms supply networks, and strengthening surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
> “This threat goes beyond Nigeria—it is a regional and international emergency. We must enhance intelligence collaboration and put an end to the porous routes that allow these foreign saboteurs to sneak in and fuel terrorism,” he asserted.
He also reminded Nigerians that the ongoing conflict is not merely a battle between the military and extremist groups—it is an all-out war against the Nigerian state itself.
> “Boko Haram and ISWAP are not just enemies of the armed forces—they are enemies of Nigeria’s sovereignty, peace, and progress.”
As investigations continue, the Nigerian military’s resolve to root out both local and foreign threats remains unwavering, even as the security landscape becomes increasingly complex.
PIONEER NEWS 