Date: October 8, 2026
Reporter: Emilly Jordan
Troops of the Nigerian Army’s Operation Hadin Kai have reportedly arrested a Yobe State politician over allegations that he provided logistical support to Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) elements and attempted to bribe soldiers to secure the release of terrorism suspects, according to security sources cited by counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama.
The politician was identified as Alhaji Wakiil Goni Mama, popularly known as Mai Salati. According to the reports, his arrest followed an intelligence-led operation involving the Commander of Sector 2 and the 27 Task Force Brigade in Yobe State.
Security sources alleged that Mai Salati had been under surveillance over claims that he was operating as a logistics supplier and collaborator for terrorist elements operating in northeastern Nigeria. The allegations have not been established by a court.
The reported arrest was linked to an earlier military operation in Kanamma, Yobe State, where troops had detained several suspects over suspected terrorist logistics activities.
According to the sources, the suspects were being processed for further investigation when Mai Salati allegedly intervened and attempted to secure their release by offering money to military personnel.
The soldiers reportedly rejected the alleged inducement and instead arrested the politician.
The detained suspects and Mai Salati were subsequently moved from Damaturu toward Maiduguri, the capital of neighbouring Borno State, where security authorities are expected to conduct further interrogation and investigation into their alleged connections to terrorist networks.
The investigation is expected to establish whether the suspects had any operational or logistical relationship with ISWAP and whether sufficient evidence exists to support formal criminal charges.
The reported allegations involve the suspected provision of logistics to terrorist groups. Such support can include the movement or supply of food, fuel, money, communications equipment, weapons or other materials needed to sustain armed operations.
Security sources cited in the reports also rejected claims circulating on social media that Mai Salati’s arrest was politically motivated.
Those claims reportedly connected his arrest to speculation about an alleged move from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the African Democratic Congress. The security sources said the arrest was instead connected to allegations involving terrorist logistics and an alleged attempt to interfere with the detention of people suspected of supplying materials to ISWAP.
The reported arrest comes as Nigerian security forces continue operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP networks across the country's northeastern region.
The military has increasingly focused on disrupting the supply networks that enable insurgent groups to maintain their operations. In August, for example, Operation Hadin Kai reported the arrest of suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP logistics collaborators in Yobe and Borno states. The military said those operations involved the seizure of various supplies and other items allegedly destined for terrorist groups.
In September, troops also reported arresting two suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Yobe State and recovering large quantities of motorcycle spare parts allegedly intended for Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters operating in the Yunusari-Mobbar area.
The latest case comes amid continued military pressure on ISWAP in the wider Lake Chad region. On Tuesday, ISWAP militants also attacked a Nigerian military base in Kukawa, Borno State. The Nigerian military said troops repelled the assault and that more than 25 militants were killed, while a senior military officer told the Associated Press that 10 soldiers were killed.
The reported arrest of Mai Salati remains part of an ongoing investigation. Neither the allegations of providing logistical support to ISWAP nor the alleged bribery attempt has been established in court, and any formal prosecution would depend on the outcome of the military investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.
Authorities are expected to continue examining the suspects’ communications, movements and financial activities as investigators seek to determine the nature and extent of any alleged links to terrorist networks in northeastern Nigeria.