Troops of the Nigerian Army have apprehended a man suspected of providing intelligence to terrorists linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Kanama, Yobe State.

The arrest was confirmed by security sources and reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama on X on Saturday.

According to the sources, the suspect, identified as Malam Fantami, was arrested by troops of the 159 Battalion in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force during a security operation in Kanama, located in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Fantami, a native of Dikwa in Borno State, was taken into custody following credible intelligence indicating he may have been acting as an informant for terrorists operating in the North-East.

Authorities reportedly recovered several items from him at the time of the arrest, including a mobile phone, a smartwatch, prayer beads, a motorcycle key, and ₦7,000 in cash. A preliminary examination of his phone revealed materials deemed suspicious, including photographs of motorcycles, large sums of money, and AK-47 rifles.

“These findings have heightened concerns regarding the suspect’s potential role as a logistics informant or intelligence asset for insurgent groups in the region,” a source stated.

Fantami is currently in military custody and undergoing further interrogation to determine the extent of his alleged involvement and identify any possible collaborators.

The arrest forms part of ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East aimed at dismantling networks that provide intelligence and logistical support to insurgent activities.