Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested four suspected collaborators of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during separate intelligence-led operations in Yobe and Borno states. The military also intercepted 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) who were reportedly fleeing intensified military offensives.
The development was disclosed on Tuesday in a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.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 investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram fighters, aiding the group’s operations.
Items recovered from the suspects included 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 in cash. In a separate operation conducted around 3:30 p.m. the same day, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working alongside the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers in Monguno, Borno State, after sustained surveillance of terrorist supply routes. During preliminary interrogation, the suspects allegedly admitted to transporting food items and other supplies to ISWAP fighters operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village in Kukawa Local Government Area.
Recovered exhibits 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 miscellaneous items.
In another 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 group comprised nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor. According to the military, they fled their enclave following sustained offensives by troops in the area.
During preliminary questioning, the group reportedly told investigators they escaped from Gezuwa after military operations targeted their settlement. They have since been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and further investigation. The military said all arrested suspects and recovered items have been transferred to the appropriate Military Intelligence units for further investigation.
Operation HADIN KAI stated that the successful operations demonstrate the effectiveness of its intelligence-driven strategy in disrupting terrorist logistics, dismantling support networks and denying insurgents access to essential 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 intelligence to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North-East.
