Troops Arrest Four Suspected Terrorist Collaborators, Intercept 20 Family Members of JAS Fighters

Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have arrested four suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) collaborators, recovered drugs and logistics items allegedly meant for terrorists, and intercepted 20 suspected family members of Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (JAS) fighters during separate intelligence-led operations in Borno and Yobe states.

The successful operations, carried out on August 3, highlight the military's sustained efforts to dismantle terrorist support networks and cut off logistics supplying insurgents operating in the North-East.

According to a statement issued by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, troops of the 159 Battalion under Sector 2 conducted a cordon-and-search operation in Geidam Town, Yobe State, following credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of two suspected terrorist collaborators.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram terrorists, thereby supporting insurgent activities.

Items recovered from the suspects included a large quantity of suspected Indian hemp, multiple mobile phones of different brands, power banks, scissors, knives, torchlights, lighters, cigarette rolls, Pregabalin capsules, Piscof syrup, National Identity Card, Permanent Voter's Card, ATM cards and cash amounting to ₦14,530.

In another operation conducted at about 3:30 p.m. in Monguno Town, Borno State, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working alongside the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers after sustained surveillance of terrorist supply routes.

The suspects reportedly confessed during preliminary interrogation that they were transporting food items and other supplies to ISWAP terrorists operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village in Kukawa Local Government Area.

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 in cash and other sundry items.

Meanwhile, troops of the 222 Battalion (Main) on routine patrol along the Gezuwa axis in Konduga Local Government Area intercepted 20 suspected family members of JAS terrorists believed to have fled their enclave following sustained military offensives.

The group comprised nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor. According to the military, the individuals disclosed during preliminary investigations that they escaped from Gezuwa after troops intensified operations against terrorist hideouts in the area.

They have since been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and further necessary action.

Captain Goni stated that all arrested suspects and recovered exhibits had been transferred to the appropriate military intelligence units for detailed investigation and exploitation.

He noted that the operations demonstrate the effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI's intelligence-driven strategy 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 elements and appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and the restoration of lasting peace across the North-East.