MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Nigerian troops have taken into custody a 15-year-old terror suspect, identified as Tijjani, who confessed to participating in the insurgent attack that claimed the life of Brigadier General Oseni Braimah and several other soldiers.
The teenager was apprehended by troops of Operation Hadin Kai on Saturday following intelligence-led operations targeting insurgent movements in the Ngamdu and Benisheikh axis of Borno State.
According to military sources, Tijjani admitted during interrogation to being part of the group that launched the deadly assault on the 29 Task Force Brigade. He was reportedly arrested shortly after leaving the Jilli market, a known logistics hub for insurgents in the region.
At the time of his arrest, the suspect was allegedly found in possession of ₦850,000 in cash. He claimed the funds were intended for the purchase of food and essential supplies for his commanders based in the Jilli area of Gubio Local Government.
The arrest follows a major air interdiction by the Nigerian Air Force on Saturday, which targeted ISWAP and Boko Haram positions in the same general area. While the military confirmed the destruction of key terrorist assets, they are also investigating reports of civilian casualties during the strikes at the Jilli market.
The suspect remains in military custody as investigations continue into the recruitment of minors by insurgent groups and the logistics networks sustaining their operations in the Northeast.
