By Opeyemi Adelakun
Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested four suspected logistics suppliers to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during separate intelligence-led operations in Yobe and Borno states.
The military also intercepted 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) fighters who were fleeing sustained military offensives in Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the statement, troops of the 159 Battalion under Sector 2 arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators during a cordon-and-search operation in Geidam, Yobe State, following credible intelligence.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram terrorists, thereby facilitating insurgent activities,” the statement said.
The military said troops recovered suspected Indian hemp, mobile phones, power banks, scissors, knives, torchlights, lighters, cigarette rolls, Pregabalin capsules, Piscof syrup, identity cards, ATM cards and ₦14,530 from the suspects.
In a separate operation at about 3:30 p.m. the same day, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working with the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers in Monguno, Borno State, after monitoring terrorist supply routes.
Capt. Goni said the suspects admitted during preliminary interrogation that they transported food items and other supplies to ISWAP fighters operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village in Kukawa Local Government Area.
Recovered items included 11 cartons and 192 sachets of assorted biscuits, one carton of Peak milk, 10 mudu of sugar, nine bars of Viva soap, six headlamps, two bags and 16 rolls of sachet garri, three packs of lighters, two Tecno button phones, one assault knife, one charm belt, four prayer beads, six packs of herbal medicine and ₦6,600, among other items.
In another operation, 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.
According to the military, the group comprised nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor who fled their enclave following intensified military operations.
“During preliminary investigation, they disclosed that they escaped from Gezuwa after a military offensive against their settlement. The individuals have since been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for further profiling and necessary action,” the statement added.
The military said all arrested suspects and recovered exhibits had been handed over to the appropriate Military Intelligence units for further investigation.
It added that the operations demonstrated the effectiveness of its intelligence-led strategy in disrupting terrorist logistics and dismantling insurgent support networks.
Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
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