By Charles Pemu 
The Nigerian military has confirmed the arrest of four Pakistani nationals suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities in the North East.
Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), disclosed that preliminary investigations suggest the individuals were engaged in arms trafficking and provided training to terrorist groups, including Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS).
“The recent arrests underscore the increasing role of foreign actors in fuelling insecurity. The presence of mercenaries has enhanced the tactical capabilities of insurgents operating in the region,” Abubakar stated during a media briefing in Maiduguri.
In a related development, the Joint Investigation Centre (JIC) of OPHK expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in the prosecution of 1,450 terrorism suspects, despite the completion of investigations.
According to JIC representative Olugbenga Adeniyi, a total of 1,877 suspects have been investigated and categorised into three groups: those for prosecution, rehabilitation, and reintegration. While some have been transferred to the Giwa Centre in Kainji for trial, others are undergoing rehabilitation or have been handed over to the Borno State Government for reintegration.
Adeniyi cited legal bottlenecks, limited witness cooperation, and logistical challenges as key factors slowing the judicial process. He called for urgent reforms and enhanced collaboration among security and justice sector agencies to expedite trials and ensure justice for victims and communities affected by terrorism.
The military reiterated its commitment to dismantling all terror networks and called on the public to continue supporting security operations through timely intelligence sharing.