By Odita Sunday
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have arrested four suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP 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 (JAS) terrorists fleeing sustained military offensives.
The operations, conducted on August 3, are part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist logistics networks and cut off support systems sustaining insurgent activities in the North East.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, 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 terrorists.
Recovered items included large quantities of suspected Indian hemp, mobile phones, power banks, knives, torchlights, lighters, cigarette rolls, Pregabalin capsules, Piscof syrup, identity cards, ATM cards and ₦14,530 in cash.
In a separate operation, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working with the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers in Monguno, Borno State.
The suspects allegedly confessed to supplying food items and other logistics to ISWAP fighters operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village, Kukawa Local Government Area.
Items recovered from them included cartons of assorted biscuits, Peak milk, sugar, sachet garri, bars of soap, headlamps, lighters, mobile phones, an assault knife, herbal medicines, prayer beads, a charm belt and ₦6,600.
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, the individuals disclosed during preliminary interrogation that they fled their enclave following intensified military operations against terrorist strongholds in the area.
They have since been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and further investigation.
Captain Goni said all arrested suspects and recovered exhibits had been transferred to the appropriate military intelligence units for further exploitation.
He said the latest operations demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-driven military operations 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 while urging members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
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