Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have arrested four suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) collaborators in separate intelligence-led operations across Yobe and Borno states, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist logistics and support networks in the North-East.
The military also intercepted 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) fighters who reportedly fled their enclave following sustained military offensives against insurgent positions.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
According to the statement, troops of the 159 Battalion under Sector 2 carried out a cordon-and-search operation in Geidam, Yobe State, on August 3, following credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of two suspected terrorist collaborators.
Preliminary investigations, the military said, revealed that the suspects were allegedly involved in supplying hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram fighters, thereby supporting insurgent operations in the area.
Items recovered from the suspects included a large quantity of suspected Indian hemp, several mobile phones, power banks, torchlights, knives, scissors, cigarette rolls, lighters, Pregabalin capsules, Piscof syrup, National Identity and Permanent Voter’s Cards, ATM cards and ₦14,530 in cash.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram terrorists, thereby facilitating insurgent activities,” the statement said.
In a separate operation conducted the same day, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working alongside the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers during an intelligence-led operation in Monguno, Borno State.
The operation, which followed sustained surveillance of terrorist supply routes, led to the recovery of food items and other materials allegedly destined for ISWAP fighters operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village in Kukawa Local Government Area.
Recovered items included 11 cartons and 192 sachets of assorted biscuits, a carton of Peak milk, 10 mudu of sugar, nine bars of soap, two bags and 16 rolls of sachet garri, six headlamps, three packs of lighters, two mobile phones, an assault knife, a charm belt, four prayer beads, herbal medicine and ₦6,600.
According to the military, the suspects confessed during preliminary interrogation that they had been transporting food items and other supplies to ISWAP terrorists.
In a related development, troops of the 222 Battalion intercepted 20 suspected family members of JAS terrorists during a routine patrol along the Gezuwa axis in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The group comprised nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor.
According to the military, the individuals disclosed during preliminary investigation that they fled Gezuwa following intensified military offensives against terrorist enclaves in the area.
“The intercepted group disclosed that they escaped from Gezuwa after military offensive against their settlement,” the statement added.
The military said the intercepted persons had been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and further necessary action, while the four arrested suspects and all recovered exhibits had also been transferred to the appropriate military intelligence units for further investigation.
Capt. Goni said the successful operations underscored the effectiveness of the military’s intelligence-driven strategy in disrupting terrorist logistics and dismantling support networks.
“These successful operations underscore the effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI’s intelligence-driven approach in disrupting terrorist logistics, dismantling support networks and denying insurgents access to critical supplies,” he said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of Operation HADIN KAI to sustaining pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations and restore lasting peace in the North-East.
