By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Friday confirmed that the Chinese national arrested during a counter-terrorism operation in Borno State is currently facing interrogation.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Markus Kangye, disclosed this during the bi-weekly Defence Correspondents media briefing at the DHQ, Abuja.
The DDMO did not disclose the name of the suspect who claimed to be a miner.
Gen. Kangye added that five terrorists logistics suppliers were also arrested during the operation.
The Defence Spokesman assured journalists that a full investigation is underway to determine the suspect’s intentions and possible links to insurgent groups.
He said,“Troops arrested five terrorists logistics suppliers, collaborators, and a Chinese national claiming to be a miner during well-coordinated operations conducted in Kukawa and Ngala Local Government Areas of Borno State, as well as Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State between 5 and 7 June 2025.
“Anybody that is caught, just like you know with criminals, they will just deny involvement. But the question is: what brought him there at the time of arrest? Why was he in an operational area where our troops were conducting operations?”
“The Chinese national has been detained and is undergoing interrogation. Once the investigation is concluded, we will furnish the public with full details—why he was there, how he was arrested, and whether he had accomplices.”
Kangye dismissed claims that troops are often slow in responding to distress calls during attacks, especially in remote communities.
Kangye described the allegation as misleading, noting that logistical realities such as difficult terrain and the need for coordination affect response times.
He said:“People must understand that our troops are not in every village. Sometimes, incidents occur 10 to 15 kilometres from the nearest military base. Before deployment, the appropriate subunit must be identified, a commander appointed, and vehicles and supplies secured. All of this takes time.”
Kangye maintained that all distress calls are being addressed and assured the public of the military’s commitment to protecting citizens and neutralizing threats.
“Let’s not rush to label our troops as slow. They are working under tough conditions, and I can assure you—they respond when called upon,”he said.
Meanwhile, the DDMO said that the troops of Operation Delta Safe have in the last one week discovered and deactivated 21 illegal refining sites and apprehended 23 oil thieves in the Niger Delta.
Kangye said the troops had sustained operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta during the week under review.
He said the troops recovered 121,035 litres of stolen crude oil, 19,650 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 7,140 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
According to him, troops also discovered and destroyed 25 crude oil cooking ovens, 32 dugout pits, 19 boats, 40 storage tanks and 28 drums.
“Other items recovered include outbound engines, pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, horses, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, and nine vehicles.
“Furthermore, 23 oil thieves and other criminals were arrested while assorted arms and ammunition were also recovered.
“Between June 7 and June 8, troops, while on anti-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations, responded to information about criminal activities in Okigwe and Aniocha Local Government Areas of Imo and Delta States.
“During the operations, two criminals were arrested, while a kidnapped victim was rescued. They recovered some weapons and ammunition as well as mobile phones and motorcycles from them.
“Similarly, between June 6 and June 10, troops, acting on a tip-off arrested nine suspected vandals/criminals in Okirika, Etche and Akuku-Toru in Rivers as well as Ogbia, and Aniocha North in Bayelsa and Delta State respectively,” he said.
Kangye called for cooperation and support of all citizens in the collective efforts to overcome the nation’s security challenges.
“By standing united and working together, we can effectively address any threats to our national security and build a safer, more prosperous Nigeria for generations to come,”he said.
