Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested four suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP collaborators in separate intelligence based operations in Yobe and Borno states after tracing people suspected of supplying food, drugs and other materials to insurgents.
This was announced on Tuesday in a statement by Acting Military Information Officer at Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.
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The operations, carried out on 3 August, also led to the interception of 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal Jihad, or JAS, in Borno after they fled an insurgent hideout following military operations.
The development is significant as it focuses on people believed to have kept terrorist groups supplied with everyday items needed to continue their activities.
The operations took place as the military continued intelligence based efforts to break the chain that supports Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters.
Security forces have increasingly focused on stopping the movement of supplies into terrorist camps, with the aim of limiting the ability of the groups to sustain their operations.
Operations uncover supply chain
The first operation was carried out by troops of the 159 Battalion under Sector 2 in Geidam Town, Yobe State. Acting on credible intelligence, soldiers conducted a cordon and search exercise on 3 August and arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators.
Preliminary investigation showed that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics items to Boko Haram fighters.
Items recovered included a large quantity of suspected Indian hemp, several mobile phones made by Tecno, Itel, Maxfone and other Android brands, power banks, scissors, knives, torchlights, lighters, cigarette rolls, Pregabalin capsules, Piscof syrup, a National Identity Card, a Permanent Voter’s Card, ATM cards and ₦14,530.
Goni noted that, on the same day at about 3.30 p.m., troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working with the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, carried out another intelligence based operation in Monguno Town, Borno State after sustained surveillance of suspected terrorist supply routes.
The troops arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers. During preliminary interrogation, the suspects admitted taking food items and other supplies to ISWAP members 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, ₦6,600 and other materials.
Military intercepts fleeing JAS family members
In another operation, 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.
The group consisted of nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor. During preliminary investigation, the individuals told troops they escaped from Gezuwa after military operations against their settlement.
They have been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and other necessary procedures.
The military also handed over the four arrested suspects and all recovered items to the appropriate Military Intelligence units for further investigation and exploitation.
Goni said the operations formed part of ongoing intelligence based efforts to dismantle terrorist support networks by cutting off access to supplies and logistics.
He stated that the military would continue operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP elements and appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter terrorism efforts and the restoration of lasting peace and security in the North East.
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