15-year-old ISWAP courier confesses to Ngamdu attack, exposes Jilli logistics network

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a 15-year-old suspected Islamic State West Africa Province logistics courier in Ngamdu, Borno State, linking him to recent attacks on military positions and the ongoing airstrikes on insurgent enclaves in the Jilli axis.

Security sources identified the suspect as Tijjani, saying he was apprehended on Sunday while allegedly attempting to procure supplies for fighters operating within the Ngamdu-Benisheik corridor.

During preliminary interrogation, Tijjani confessed to participating in the attacks on Benisheik and Ngamdu carried out on Thursday, disclosing that the group mobilised from Jilli — a known ISWAP stronghold in Gubio Local Government Area — before executing the attacks and returning to the enclave.

He further revealed that he had been redeployed from Jilli on Saturday with N850,000 to procure logistics for other fighters before troops intercepted him.

“I was sent from Jilli yesterday with N850,000 to collect some logistics from Ngamdu, but I was arrested by troops,” he reportedly stated, adding that he left fellow fighters at Jilli but could not confirm their fate following the airstrikes.

The arrest comes less than 24 hours after the Air Component of OPHK conducted precision strikes on the Jilli axis, destroying a major terrorist logistics base and neutralising scores of insurgents. Field reports indicated that at least two motorcycles and one vehicle were destroyed in the operation.

Military authorities have consistently described Jilli as an insurgent-controlled enclave where a so-called weekly market serves as a logistics and coordination point for terrorist operations.

The suspect’s confession reinforces military claims that ISWAP relies on couriers — including minors — to fund and sustain its operations across the North-East. Investigations into his activities and possible accomplices are ongoing.