Troops Arrest Six Suspected Terrorist Logistics Suppliers, Recover Strategic Materials in Borno

By Harriet Tornguvan 

Troops of Sector 1 of Operation HADIN KAI have intercepted a suspected terrorist logistics network and arrested six suspects in Borno State, recovering a large cache of materials believed to be intended for terrorist operations in the North-East.

The arrests followed an intelligence-driven covert operation carried out at about 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, along a suspected terrorist supply route, where troops mounted a stop-and-search operation that led to the interception of five vehicles conveying the suspects and the recovered items.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the operation was based on credible intelligence aimed at disrupting terrorist logistics and cutting off supply chains sustaining insurgent activities in the theatre.

Items recovered during the operation included 202 cartons of herbicides, one jerrycan 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.

The military said preliminary assessments indicate that the seized materials have potential dual-use applications capable of supporting terrorist logistics, mobility, communications and sustainment. It added that the NPK fertiliser and suspected acid would undergo technical and forensic examination to determine whether they were intended for the production of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Describing the seizure as a significant blow to terrorist logistics networks, the military said the operation had further weakened the capacity of insurgents to sustain their activities across the North-East.

The six suspects and the recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate Military Intelligence Regiment for further investigation to identify the intended recipients, uncover the wider logistics network and apprehend other collaborators and sponsors.

Operation HADIN KAI also disclosed that preliminary debriefings of rescued hostages and surrendered terrorist families revealed that sustained military operations targeting logistics and supply chains have severely degraded the operational capabilities of terrorist groups.

According to the debriefings, persistent shortages of food, medical supplies, communication equipment and other essential logistics have forced many terrorists to abandon their hostages, families and camps while fleeing sustained military offensives.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling terrorist logistics and support networks through sustained intelligence-driven operations, stressing that troops would continue to target terrorists, financiers, logistics suppliers, informants and collaborators to deny them the resources and freedom of movement needed to sustain their campaign of violence.

It also urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious persons, movements and activities, noting that public cooperation remains vital to ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and the restoration of lasting peace in the North-East.