Suspected terrorist names top Military officer as sponsor

CITIZENS COMPASS— A captured suspected terrorist has alleged that a top Military officer was among those sponsoring his terrorism activities.

The suspect disclosed that the alleged sponsor was based in Abuja.

The allegation which has generated heated arguments from many Nigerians surfaced in a post on X formerly known as Twitter.

For years, whispers of “insider collaboration” have trailed Nigeria’s counter-insurgency campaign. From inexplicable ambushes to intelligence leaks and failed operations, many soldiers and observers have repeatedly questioned how insurgents continue to outmaneuver a better-equipped military force.

At different times, some personnel have been quietly dismissed, detained or court-martialled over alleged misconduct, arms diversion, or suspected links to criminal networks—fueling public belief that the war may not be entirely fought on clean lines.

The latest claim by the captured insurgent appears to feed directly into that narrative. But analysts warn that such statements, especially those extracted under torture, must be treated with extreme caution.

Security experts note that detainees under duress may say anything to stop pain or gain favour, making their claims unreliable without independent verification. They also warn that insurgent groups have historically weaponised propaganda to weaken public confidence in the military and create divisions within the ranks.

Still, the allegation has struck a sensitive nerve.

Many Nigerians argue that the persistence of attacks, despite years of military operations, suggests deeper systemic problems. Recent incidents, including attacks on military formations and warnings of planned strikes on strategic locations, have only intensified questions about intelligence breaches and possible insider compromise.

Even so, there are signs that the military campaign is not without progress. Thousands of insurgents have surrendered in recent years, while troops continue to record battlefield successes in the North-East.

However, experts say the real battle may now be one of credibility.

“The biggest threat is not just the insurgents,” one security analyst noted, “but the erosion of trust in the system meant to defeat them.”

Here are some topical reactions on the development as gathered by GWG.ng

@kayceelopezpc: “We all know they are linked to high class men and even the federal government knows but won’t do nothing cos you can’t shoot yourself.”

@mechetenco_wine: “The real issue is that no investigation will be carried out. Nothing will happen to whoever he is referring to. I pity the men on the field who are a bullet away from joining their ancestors.”

@pegasus9060 : “This is exactly why insecurity will never be solved. Every one in the government is complicit. Everyone of them has to go.”

@LionelKuti10 : “We all act like we don’t know these boys are sponsored by politicians and military heads. Lots of public information backed it up. The body language of the government and their policies.”

@247humour: “You will likely hear that those soldiers that captured him have been sacked soon.”

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Hadin kai on Wednesday, neutralised over 30 insurgents and destroyed several boats in an operation at the Lake Chad waterways around the Kaniram Island axis in Borno State.

This took place in the early hours.

The Media Information Officer, Northeast Joint Taskforce Operation Hadin kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, who disclosed this in a statement said the operation was carried out during an offensive operation conducted between Tuesday and Wednesday.

According to him, the air component of Operation Hadin Kai established a persistent overhead presence and confirmed the concentration of over 30 terrorist boats and associated terrorist elements coordinating movement and resupply on Wednesdays in the location.

It reads “Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in sustained offensive operations conducted on the night of 21/22 April 2026, delivered devastating precision air strikes that dismantled ISWAP terrorist logistics networks along the Lake Chad waterways around the Kaniram Island axis in Northern Borno State.