The Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) has cleared an individual previously reported as a suspected terrorist, saying investigations established that he had no affiliation with any known terrorist group.
The clarification followed reports published by some media organisations on July 14, 2026, concerning an individual intercepted by troops of 68 Battalion during an exploitation operation after the attack on Cross Kauwa.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, identified the individual as Aboubakar Muhammad Zein-Nur, also known as Houdairi.
Goni explained that the troops acted in line with established operational procedures by taking the individual into custody for profiling and further investigation due to the prevailing security situation and the use of border corridors by terrorist elements for movement and logistics.
He said comprehensive intelligence assessments and other investigative processes did not establish any connection between Zein-Nur and terrorist organisations.
