Two Soldiers Under Probe for Allegedly Working with ISWAP Terrorists
Two Soldiers Under Probe for Allegedly Working with ISWAP Terrorists
A investigation has been launched into the alleged collaboration of two soldiers with the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in Yobe State.
The soldiers, attached to the 135 Special Forces Battalion, are accused of compromising national security by leaking sensitive information to the terrorists, which led to the kidnapping of commuters along the Gashua-Azare highway on May 9.
According to a credible source, the soldiers’ telephone conversations were intercepted and analyzed by security operatives, revealing disturbing links to the ISWAP terrorists.
The conversations allegedly revealed that the soldiers had leaked the movements of their patrol team along the Buratai-Kamuya-Azare-Gashua axis, allowing the terrorists to stage an ambush that briefly disrupted the civilian movement.
Fortunately, a swift counter-attack was launched by troops of the same battalion, which led to the freeing of four abducted civilians and the recovery of weapons and equipment.
However, the incident has raised serious concerns about internal sabotage and the need for tighter intelligence monitoring within the military ranks.
Security analyst and Counter Insurgency Expert, Zagazola Makama, stated that the betrayal was believed to have enabled the terrorists to set up the ambush.
“The military authorities have since launched a full-scale internal investigation into the matter, and the two soldiers are currently in custody. Their identities are being withheld pending further findings,” he said.
The military authorities have taken swift action to address the situation, with a top security official stating that “the system will not spare any uniformed personnel found collaborating with enemies of the state.
The fight against insurgency must be backed by absolute loyalty and trust.” The incident has highlighted the urgent need for tighter intelligence monitoring within the military ranks to prevent future breaches and preserve the integrity of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
The investigation is ongoing, and the military authorities are working to determine the extent of the soldiers’ involvement with the terrorists.
The incident has significant implications for the security of the region and the effectiveness of the military’s counter-terrorism operations.
As the investigation continues, it is clear that the military will take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
