No fewer than 16 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in terrorism and other security-related offences have been arrested by the military and other security agencies across Nigeria over the past 14 months, according to a review of military sources and media reports.
The suspects, including Pakistanis, Chadians, Nigeriens and other foreign nationals, were apprehended in separate operations across the North-East and North-Central between May 2025 and July 2026. Some have since been convicted, including a Nigerien sentenced to death for terrorism and arms proliferation.
The arrests have renewed concerns over the involvement of foreign operatives in Nigeria’s security challenges.
On July 12, Operation Hadin Kai disclosed that a Palestinian identified as Abu Ishaq, described as ISWAP’s chief trainer, a Moroccan identified as Abu Thaiba, reportedly serving as a medical doctor within the terrorist network, and another unidentified Arab operative were among those behind a failed infiltration into Cross Kauwa in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said the operation resulted in the killing of several high-profile terrorists, including a Syrian national, ISWAP commander Aliyu Zabarmari, while another foreign fighter described as an Arab mercenary remained missing.
On July 19, troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion arrested an alleged foreign spy, Abubakar Zen, who claimed to be a citizen of Niger Republic, in Mallam Fatori, Abadam Local Government Area of Borno State.
A military source also confirmed the arrest of another suspected foreign terrorist and illegal immigrant in Borno, whose identity was withheld.
On July 20, the military announced the arrest of two foreign jihadists accused of providing advanced combat training, drone logistics and technological support to terrorist groups.
In a separate operation, troops and operatives of the Department of State Services arrested three Chadian nationals — Bilal Muhammed Umar, Bashir Muhammed and Muhammed Maigari Abubakar — in Gombe State over alleged possession of improvised explosive device components.
In May 2025, Operation Hadin Kai arrested four Pakistani nationals in the North-East over allegations of arms trafficking and operating terrorist training camps.
Security agencies also arrested five foreign nationals in Plateau State between May 15 and 20, 2025, including three foreign Fulani migrants and two Chadian nationals.
Military sources said the growing involvement of foreign operatives highlights the need for stronger intelligence cooperation among countries in the Lake Chad Basin but declined to comment on whether international agencies such as INTERPOL had been formally engaged, citing operational sensitivity.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Micheal Onoja, declined to comment on the arrests or plans to apprehend other foreign suspects.
The Nigeria Immigration Service said it was working closely with the military and other security agencies to strengthen border security through intensified patrols, technology deployment and inter-agency collaboration.
Security experts warned that the presence of foreign combat trainers, medical specialists and drone operators indicates an increasingly sophisticated insurgency supported by transnational networks.
They called for stronger intelligence-sharing, improved border surveillance, dismantling of terrorist support infrastructure and greater investment in technology to curb the movement of foreign fighters and disrupt terrorist operations across the region.