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 Borno and Yobe states.
The military also intercepted 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal Jihad, JAS, who were reportedly fleeing sustained military offensives in parts of Borno State.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed the development 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 investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram fighters, aiding their operations. Troops recovered suspected Indian hemp, mobile phones, power banks, knives, scissors, torchlights, cigarette rolls, Pregabalin capsules, Piscof syrup, identity cards, ATM cards and ₦14,530 from the suspects.
In a separate operation carried out by troops of Sector 3 Garrison in collaboration with the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion in Monguno, Borno State, two additional suspects believed to be supplying logistics to ISWAP fighters were arrested after sustained surveillance of terrorist supply routes.
The suspects reportedly confessed during preliminary interrogation to transporting food items and other supplies to ISWAP members operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village in Kukawa Local Government Area.
Recovered items included cartons and sachets of assorted biscuits, Peak milk, sugar, bars of soap, headlamps, bags and rolls of sachet garri, lighters, two mobile phones, an assault knife, a charm belt, prayer beads, herbal medicine and ₦6,600.
In another development, troops of the 222 Battalion intercepted 20 suspected family members of JAS 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, they fled their settlement following intensified operations against terrorist enclaves in the area.
The military said the individuals had been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and further necessary action, while the arrested suspects and recovered exhibits had also been transferred to the appropriate intelligence units for continued investigation.
Operation HADIN KAI said the successful operations reflected the effectiveness of its intelligence driven strategy in disrupting terrorist logistics and dismantling support networks.
It reaffirmed the military’s commitment to sustaining pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP while urging residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies to strengthen ongoing counter terrorism efforts across the North East.
