Troops arrest four suspected Boko Haram, ISWAP suppliers, intercept 20 relatives

Troops arrest four suspected Boko Haram, ISWAP suppliers, intercept 20 relatives

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested four people suspected of supplying logistics to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during separate intelligence-led operations in Borno and Yobe states.

The troops also intercepted 20 people believed to be relatives of Boko Haram members who reportedly fled their settlement following sustained military offensives against terrorist groups across the North-East.

The arrests were made on Monday as troops intensified efforts to disrupt the supply networks of insurgent groups and prevent them from accessing food, drugs, communication devices and other essential materials.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said two suspects were arrested during a cordon-and-search operation in Geidam, Yobe State.

According to the military, preliminary findings indicated that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram fighters operating in the area.

Items recovered from the suspects included substances suspected to be Indian hemp, several mobile phones, power banks, knives, torchlights, lighters, cigarette rolls, Pregabalin capsules, cough syrup, identity cards, ATM cards and N14,530 in cash.

The military said the recovered items would be examined further as investigations continue into the suspects’ alleged activities and possible links to terrorist support networks.

In a separate operation in Monguno, Borno State, troops working alongside personnel of the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion arrested two other suspects accused of supplying food and other essential items to ISWAP fighters.

Military authorities said the suspects allegedly admitted during interrogation that they transported food items and other supplies to insurgents operating around Kwatan Dowoshi village in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

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Items recovered during the operation included cartons of biscuits, Peak milk, sugar, sachets of garri, bars of soap, headlamps, lighters, mobile phones, an assault knife, herbal medicine, prayer beads, a charm belt and N6,600 in cash.

The military said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to weaken the logistical networks that support Boko Haram and ISWAP activities across the North-East.

Security agencies have identified the movement of food, drugs, fuel, communication devices and other supplies as an important part of the support structure that enables terrorist groups to sustain operations in remote locations.

Meanwhile, troops on routine patrol along the Gezuwa axis of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State intercepted 20 people identified as suspected relatives of members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly known as Boko Haram.

The group comprised nine women, two men and nine children.

According to the military, the individuals told investigators that they left their settlement after troops intensified operations against terrorist elements in the area.

The intercepted people were handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and further assessment.

The military said the four arrested suspects and the recovered exhibits were also undergoing further investigation.

The latest operations come amid sustained military efforts to degrade Boko Haram and ISWAP capabilities across Borno, Yobe and other parts of the North-East.

Operation HADIN KAI has continued intelligence-led raids, patrols and clearance operations aimed at disrupting terrorist movements, cutting off supply routes and identifying suspected collaborators.

The military urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that public cooperation remains important to efforts to protect communities and strengthen security across the region.

Troops arrest four suspected Boko Haram, ISWAP suppliers, intercept 20 relatives