A foreign national who claimed to be the country director of ACTED, an international non-governmental organization, Santiago Alexander, has been arrested in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, for breaching security protocol at the state government house.
Borno State is the epic centre of the 12-year-old insurgency in North-East Nigeria.
A security source said Alexander was detained after he was intercepted at about 4 pm on Wednesday inside a grey coloured Sienna with registration number MAG 479 RM.
The source said Alexander claimed he lost his way while trying to locate a multipurpose hall where a meeting of the Joint Planning Board (JPB) and National Council on Development Planning was taking place within the government house.
He said where the foreigner was intercepted was close to the official residence of the state governor, adding that Santiago and the driver of the car, one Abubakar Suleman, had no means of identification when they were intercepted.
The source said the security details at the government house suspected foul play when Suleiman ignored waves to stop after breaching security protocol and operatives had to go after the car and intercept it.
When interrogated, Santiago, who was not on an invitation to the government house said he was there to deliver mail to one Oluseyi Fatuyi of the department of international cooperation from the federal ministry of finance who was in Maiduguri for the three-day JTB meeting.
Fatuyi confirmed having an appointment with Santiago.
