Addis Ababa, July 15, 2025 (ENA) — The National Intelligence and Security Service has announced today the arrest of 82 ISIS (the extremist armed group) members recruited for terrorist missions in Ethiopia.
According to a statement sent to ENA by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), investigations have been conducted regarding the efforts of the Somalia wing of ISIS operating in Puntland to expand and establish cells of the terrorist group in various countries and Ethiopia.
NISS, which stated that it has been closely monitoring the attempts of the ISIS Somalia wing to establish a terrorist network in Ethiopia from the beginning, pointed out that its regular assessment of the threat level has identified concrete findings that pose vulnerability and could escalate into a national security threat.
The 82 suspects trained in Puntland and deployed to different parts of the country were identified and arrested in cooperation with the Federal Police and regional security forces.
Suspects who had direct ties to ISIS group and were providing comprehensive support, in particular individuals organized by the intelligence wing of the international terrorist group and providing financial and logistical support, are detained, the statement added.
Further stating that the terrorist group uses religious institutions and religion as a cover to spread its destructive mission and recruit people, it noted that concrete evidences were found on its spreading teachings which erode the unity and values of peaceful coexistence among the people and incite violence and chaos.
The suspects were arrested in Addis Ababa, around Sheger city in Oromia, Adama, Haromaya, Shashemene, Bale, Jimma and Shakiso cities in the Oromia region; in Silte Zone and Halaba Kulito city of the Central Ethiopia region; in Jigjiga city of the Somali region, and Harari region.
The statement from the service stressed that the participation of the local community with security agencies in the operation to capture the individuals was exemplary.
The National Intelligence and Security Service finally said surveillance of the terrorist group members who have not been arrested will continue, and called on the public to fulfill their civic duty by providing tips for the relevant security bodies when they see suspicious situations that could disrupt peace and create threats in their areas.