Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested a suspected foreign national in possession of three phones at a checkpoint along the Damaturu-Potiskum Expressway in Yobe State.

A credible military source in Maiduguri, yesterday stated that  the suspect, identified as Abdulrazak Muhammad, 31, was arrested by troops of the 233 Thank Battalion on April 3, 2026, at about 3:09 a.m., while on routine duty along the expressway.

The military source added that the suspect, a Ghanaian from Accra,  travelled without valid means of identification at the time of his arrest.

The Army revealed that items recovered from him include three mobile phones without SIM cards, a notebook, and foreign currency estimated at three Ghanaian cedis and 50 pesewas.

During the preliminary interrogation, the suspect  gave conflicting accounts of his identity and movements, at different times claiming links to Mali, Ghana, and Nigeria, while also stating that he was a student in Ghana.

Security sources further noted that he appeared incoherent when asked about his destination and purpose of travel to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the suspect remained in custody as investigations continue to ascertain his true identity, movement history and any other possible security implications.