Olusegun ARIYO
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested four individuals suspected of providing logistical support to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters during separate operations in Yobe and Borno states.
The arrests were announced in a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.
According to the military, the first operation was carried out by troops of the 159 Battalion in Geidam, Yobe State, following intelligence reports of suspected terrorist activities in the area. The operation led to the arrest of two suspects believed to have been supplying narcotics and other materials to insurgents.
Security operatives recovered several items from the suspects, including quantities of suspected cannabis, mobile phones, power banks, knives, torchlights, cigarette rolls, pharmaceutical products, identification cards, bank cards and cash.
In a separate operation in Monguno, Borno State, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working in conjunction with the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, apprehended two other suspects allegedly linked to ISWAP logistics networks.
The statement said preliminary findings indicated that the suspects were involved in transporting food and other essential supplies to insurgents operating in parts of Kukawa Local Government Area.
Items reportedly recovered during the operation included cartons and sachets of biscuits, milk, sugar, soap, garri, headlamps, lighters, mobile phones, herbal medicine, cash and other materials believed to have been intended for terrorist elements.
Meanwhile, troops conducting routine patrols along the Gezuwa axis of Konduga Local Government Area intercepted 20 individuals identified as relatives of suspected Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) members.
The group comprised women, men and children who reportedly fled a terrorist enclave following intensified military operations in the area.
The individuals told investigators they left the settlement due to sustained military offensives. They have since been handed over to military intelligence personnel for screening and further assessment.
The armed forces said the arrested suspects, along with all recovered exhibits, are undergoing further investigation.
The military noted that the operations form part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist supply chains and weaken the support structures sustaining insurgent activities across the North-East.
