Troops intercept suspected Chadian smuggler carrying drugs for terrorists

Troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force in North- East under the Operation HADIN KAI, have intercepted a suspected foreign drug courier and recovered a large consignment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances allegedly being transported to terrorists operating in the Lake Chad Islands.

The suspect, identified as 48-year-old Rachael Samuel, a Chadian national from Kelo in Chari-Baguirmi Province, Republic of Chad, was arrested on Thursday during a military operation along the Maiduguri–Monguno axis while travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed the development in a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s official X handle on Friday.

According to the military, the arrest followed an intensive search operation conducted by troops targeting suspicious movements along the strategic route.

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“The operation was conducted during intensive search operations along the Maiduguri–Monguno axis, where troops intercepted a suspicious vehicle travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State,” the statement said.

It added that preliminary investigations indicated the recovered substances were being transported to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area known to harbour terrorist groups.

Items recovered from the suspect included seven compressed bundles of suspected cannabis sativa weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, commonly referred to as “Suck and Die”, one carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin and 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages.

Troops also recovered one mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, personal belongings and an undisclosed sum of cash.

The military said the seized items have an estimated market value running into millions of naira.

It also said the suspect remains in military custody while the recovered exhibits have been secured pending their transfer to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution.

“The suspect is currently in military custody, while all recovered exhibits have been secured pending handover to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with extant laws,” the military stated.

Operation HADIN KAI said the interception represents another significant blow to terrorist logistics and supply networks in the North-East.

According to the military, intelligence reports have consistently shown that terrorist groups rely on illicit drugs and intoxicants to stimulate fighters, suppress fear and enhance their operational capabilities.

“By intercepting the consignment before it reached its destination, the troops have disrupted another critical aspect of the terrorists’ support network,” the statement said.

The Theatre Command commended the troops for their vigilance and professionalism, reaffirming its commitment to sustaining operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and their collaborators across the region.

It also appealed to residents of the North-East to continue supporting security operations by providing timely and credible intelligence that would assist ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security.