A 36-year-old Ghanaian woman has been arrested by Nigerian military authorities in Borno State over suspected links to terrorist activities.

The woman, identified as Mary Florence, was arrested alongside a 32-year-old Sudanese national, Musa Fashir, during an intelligence-led operation by Nigerian army troops under operation ‘Hadin Kai’, the Lassa, Dille General Area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

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The development was made known in a statement released by the Nigerian Army on X on Monday, July 20, 2026, and signed by Acting Military Information Officer, Captain Mohammed Goni.

The operation was said to have been carried out by personnel of the 115 Task Force Battalion at about 11:48 am on Sunday, July 19, 2026, as part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria’s North East region.

According to the Nigerian military, Mary Florence claimed to be an illegal immigrant from Ghana, but authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding her presence in the area and the authenticity of her claims.

“During the operation, troops arrested one Musa Fashir, 32 years old Sudanese national suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter and collaborator. Preliminary intelligence indicates that the suspect has established links with terrorist elements, further highlighting attempts by foreign actors to support insurgent activities in the region.

“Troops also apprehended Mary Florence 36 years, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from Republic of Ghana. The circumstances surrounding her presence in the area, as well as the authenticity of her claims are currently under investigation,” portions of the statement read.

The military said both suspects are currently in custody undergoing profiling and interrogation to establish their identities and determine whether they have any connections to terrorist groups or criminal networks.

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The military added that the arrest of the two individuals forms part of efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt terrorist activities and prevent the movement of foreign fighters and their collaborators within the region.

The Nigerian military said the operation reflects the continued vigilance of troops in tackling insurgency and protecting communities in the North East.

Read the full statement below:

OPERATION HADIN KAI TROOPS APPREHEND ANOTHER FOREIGN TERRORIST FIGHTER, ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT IN BORNO

Troops of Sector 4 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), while sustaining aggressive counter-terrorism operations across the North East Theatre, have apprehended another foreign terrorist… pic.twitter.com/Cw1V3vbz29

— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) July 20, 2026