The Nigerian Army has cleared a foreign national detained during a military operation in Borno State over alleged links to ISIS after investigations found no evidence connecting him to any terrorist organisation.
The man, identified as Aboubakar Muhammad Zein-Nur, also known as Houdairi, was taken into custody by troops of the 68 Battalion during an exploitation operation conducted after an attack on Cross Kauwa.
His detention was reported on July 14, with claims that he was a suspected terrorist. However, the military said subsequent investigations established that he had no affiliation with any known terrorist group.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mohammed Goni, captain and acting military information officer of Operation Hadin Kai, said troops detained Zein-Nur because he was intercepted under suspicious circumstances in an area where terrorist groups have been known to use border routes for movement and logistics.
“The individual has now been identified as Aboubakar Muhammad Zein-Nur, also known as Houdairi. In view of the prevailing security environment and the exploitation of border corridors by terrorist elements for movement and logistics, troops acted in accordance with established operational procedures by taking him into custody for profiling and further investigation,” the statement read.
The army said comprehensive intelligence assessments and other investigative procedures did not establish any connection between Zein-Nur and terrorist groups.
“Comprehensive intelligence assessments and other investigative processes did not establish that the individual has any affiliation to any known terrorist group,” the statement added.
According to the military, Zein-Nur is a resident of Shattu Anguba Village in Bosso, Niger Republic, and engages in camel rearing beyond the River Komadougou.
“Investigations further confirmed that he is a resident of Shattu Anguba Village in Bosso, Republic of Niger, who engages in camel rearing beyond the River Komadougou,” the army said.
Operation Hadin Kai subsequently cleared him of all suspected terrorist links, adding that individuals intercepted during military operations are subjected to due process and security screening to distinguish civilians from members of terrorist groups.
The army reaffirmed its commitment to conducting counter-insurgency operations while maintaining professionalism and respecting the rights of civilians.
