Troops arrest man in military uniform at Borno University, probe alleged terror links

Troops of the 73 Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a 25-year-old man, identified as Mubarak Mohammed, at the Njimtilo Campus of Kashim Ibrahim University in Maiduguri, Borno State, over alleged impersonation of military personnel.

The suspect was apprehended at about 4:30 p.m. on July 1 after security operatives reportedly spotted him wearing a desert-camouflage military uniform on the university campus.

During preliminary interrogation, Mohammed allegedly claimed he was a newly admitted student who had borrowed the military uniform to participate in the institution’s Career Week activities.

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However, security personnel reportedly became suspicious after he was unable to produce a student identity card or access the university’s admissions portal to verify his claim. Authorities also said the university could not confirm his admission.

The university management subsequently confirmed that Mohammed was not a registered student of the institution, adding that participation in the Career Week programme was limited to final-year students.

According to security sources, investigators are examining whether the suspect may have been gathering intelligence for criminal or terrorist groups while posing as a member of the Nigerian military.

As of the time of reporting, no formal charges relating to terrorism had been announced, and the allegations remain under investigation.

The suspect is currently in the custody of the 73 Battalion under Operation HADIN KAI, where further investigations are ongoing.

Military authorities reiterated that impersonating members of the Armed Forces is a serious offence, warning that such acts could be exploited by criminal or terrorist elements to undermine national security. They urged members of the public to report suspicious activities and individuals falsely presenting themselves as security personnel.