Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have arrested four suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP collaborators, recovered drugs and logistics supplies allegedly meant for terrorists, and intercepted 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) during separate operations in Yobe and Borno states.
The Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Maiduguri.
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, on August 3, following credible intelligence.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram insurgents.
Recovered items 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 Card, Permanent Voter’s Card, ATM cards and ₦14,530.
In a separate intelligence-led operation, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working with the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers in Monguno, Borno State.
The military said the suspects confessed during interrogation to transporting food items and other supplies to ISWAP fighters operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village in Kukawa Local Government Area.
Items recovered from them 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 mobile phones, an assault knife, a charm belt, four prayer beads, six packs of herbal medicine, ₦6,600 and other assorted items.
Meanwhile, troops of the 222 Battalion on routine patrol along the Gezuwa axis in Konduga Local Government Area intercepted 20 suspected family members of JAS terrorists fleeing their enclave following sustained military offensives.
The group comprised nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor.
The statement said the individuals told investigators they escaped from Gezuwa after military operations intensified against terrorist hideouts in the area.
They have since been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and further investigation.
Captain Goni said all arrested suspects and recovered exhibits had been transferred to the appropriate military intelligence units for further investigation.
He noted that the successful operations underscore the effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI’s intelligence-led campaign to disrupt terrorist logistics networks and weaken insurgent operations across the North-East.
The military also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and restore lasting peace in the region.
