Troops foil suicide attempt by ISWAP suspect detained in Borno

An alleged member of the Islamic State West Africa Province/Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (ISWAP/JAS) has attempted suicide while in military custody in Borno State.

Security sources said the incident occurred at around 11am on Sunday, April 13, less than 24 hours after the suspect was arrested by troops of the 154th Task Force Battalion in Ngamdu town, Kaga Local Government Area.

According to sources, the suspect attempted to take his own life by strangulation while in custody, but was quickly overpowered and restrained by soldiers on duty before he could cause fatal harm to himself.

He was subsequently evacuated to a Level 2 field hospital, where he is currently receiving medical attention and responding to treatment.

Security sources said that measures around the detainee have since been tightened, while investigations into the case are ongoing.

The arrest is linked to a wider security operation in the Ngamdu area following a series of rebel-related incidents in the region.

A 15-year-old ISWAP courier, identified as Tijjani, was also arrested in Ngamdu on 12 April and was later linked by the Federal Government to logistics operations between Jilli axis and other locations in defense of the 11 April airstrike in Gubio Local Government Area. [The Star]