Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested four suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province collaborators in separate intelligence-led operations in Yobe and Borno states, while intercepting 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad terrorists fleeing sustained military offensives.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the statement, troops of the 159 Battalion under Sector 2 arrested two suspected terrorist collaborators during a cordon-and-search operation in Geidam, Yobe State, following credible intelligence.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram terrorists, thereby facilitating insurgent activities,” the statement read.
The military said troops recovered a large quantity of suspected Indian hemp, multiple mobile phones, power banks, scissors, knives, torchlights, lighters, cigarette rolls, Pregabalin capsules, Piscof syrup, identity cards, ATM cards and ₦14,530 from the suspects.
In another operation conducted at about 3:30 p.m. on the same day, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, in conjunction with the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers in Monguno, Borno State, following sustained surveillance of terrorist supply routes.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to conveying food items and other supplies to ISWAP terrorists operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village, Kukawa Local Government Area,” Goni said.
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 sundry items.
In a related development, troops of the 222 Battalion intercepted 20 suspected family members of JAS terrorists during a routine patrol along the Gezuwa axis in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The statement said the group comprised nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor, who fled their enclave following intensified military operations.
“During preliminary investigation, they disclosed that they escaped from Gezuwa after a military offensive against their settlement. The individuals have since been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for further profiling and necessary action,” the statement added.
The military noted that the arrested suspects and all recovered exhibits had been handed over to the appropriate Military Intelligence units for further investigation.
It added, “These successful operations underscore the effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI’s intelligence-driven approach in disrupting terrorist logistics, dismantling support networks, and denying insurgents access to critical supplies.”
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North-East.