Troops arrest six suspected terrorist logistics suppliers, foreign terror suspect in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested six suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and apprehended a suspected foreign terrorist fighter alongside an alleged illegal immigrant during separate intelligence-led operations in Borno State.

The military described the operations as another major effort to disrupt insurgent supply chains in the North-East.

Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer of Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, disclosed that the first operation was carried out by troops of Sector 1, who mounted a covert stop-and-search operation along a suspected terrorist logistics route.

According to him, the operation led to the arrest of six suspects travelling in five vehicles loaded with a large consignment of materials believed to be intended for terrorist elements operating in the region.

Items recovered during the operation included 202 cartons of herbicides, one jerry can containing suspected acid, a Starlink wireless internet communication system, six bags of NPK fertiliser, 10 bags of rice, 50 hoes and 20 packs of knapsack sprayer pumps.

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The military said preliminary assessments suggest the recovered materials have dual-use capabilities that could support terrorist logistics, communications, mobility and sustainment.

It explained that some of the seized items, particularly the NPK fertiliser and suspected acid, would undergo detailed forensic and technical examination to determine whether they were intended for the production of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

“Some of the recovered items, particularly the NPK fertiliser and suspected acid, will undergo further technical and forensic examination to determine their intended use, including any possible application in the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices,” the military said.

The military also said the suspects and all recovered exhibits have been handed over to the appropriate Military Intelligence Regiment for further investigation aimed at identifying the intended recipients, dismantling the wider logistics network and arresting other collaborators.

The statement noted that intelligence obtained from rescued hostages and families of surrendered insurgents indicates that the military’s sustained offensive against terrorist logistics networks has severely degraded the operational capacity of insurgent groups.

According to the statement, the disruption of supply routes has compelled many terrorists to abandon their enclaves, families and captives as they flee sustained military pressure across the theatre of operations.

In a separate operation, troops of Sector 4, under Operation Hadin Kai, arrested a 32-year-old Sudanese national suspected to be a foreign terrorist fighter, alongside a 36-year-old woman identified as Mary Florence, who claimed to be an illegal immigrant from the Republic of Ghana.

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The suspects were apprehended by troops of the 115 Task Force Battalion during an intelligence-led operation conducted in Lassa, within the Dille General Area of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

The military said preliminary intelligence suggests that the Sudanese suspect has established links with terrorist elements operating in the region, while the circumstances surrounding Florence’s presence in the area, as well as the authenticity of her claims, remain under investigation.

It added that both suspects are currently in military custody undergoing profiling and interrogation to establish their identities, determine the extent of their activities and ascertain any possible links to terrorist organisations or transnational criminal networks.

“The successful arrests further demonstrate the effectiveness of Operation Hadin Kai’s intelligence-driven operations and our commitment to disrupting terrorist support networks, preventing the infiltration of foreign fighters and safeguarding communities across the North-east,” the statement noted.