Nigerian troops have arrested a 15-year-old suspect believed to be connected to the deadly attack that claimed the life of a senior military officer in Borno State.
The suspect, identified simply as Tijjani, was apprehended by troops of Operation Hadin Kai on Sunday in Ngamdu. According to reports, he was allegedly on his way to collect supplies for his group when he was arrested, carrying ₦850,000 in cash.
Link to Deadly Attack
The arrest follows last week’s attack in which Brigadier General Oseni Braimah, commander of the 29 Task Force Brigade, and three soldiers were killed. The assault, attributed to suspected members of Boko Haram, is considered one of the most significant blows to Nigeria’s military leadership in recent months.
In a video circulating online, Tijjani reportedly confessed in Hausa to participating in previous attacks in Benisheik and Ngamdu. He also revealed that his group had operated from Jilli both before and after carrying out the attacks.
“Before the attack, we came from Jilli and returned there after the attack,” he said.
“Yesterday, I left other fighters, my colleagues, at Jilli. I don’t know what happened to them there.”
Connection to Jilli Operations
The suspect’s statement appears to align with recent military operations in the region. Just days after the brigadier general’s death, Nigerian forces carried out an airstrike on Jilli market, which authorities said targeted a logistics base linked to Islamic State West Africa Province.
The military maintains that the strike was aimed at disrupting insurgent supply chains, although reports of possible civilian casualties have sparked ongoing investigations.
No Official Statement Yet
As of the time of reporting, authorities have not issued an official statement confirming the arrest. However, the development may provide critical intelligence in the military’s ongoing fight against insurgency in northeastern Nigeria.
Ongoing Security Challenges
Borno State remains a hotspot for insurgent activity, with security forces continuing efforts to dismantle networks linked to both Boko Haram and ISWAP. The arrest of the teenage suspect highlights not only the persistence of the conflict but also the troubling involvement of minors in armed groups.