Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested six suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and recovered a consignment of materials believed to be destined for terrorist elements during an intelligence-led operation in Borno State.
The operation targeted a suspected terrorist logistics route as part of efforts to disrupt supply chains supporting insurgent activities in the North-East.
The Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Capt. Mohammed Goni, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operation was carried out at about 4 p.m. on July 19 following credible intelligence.
According to Goni, troops mounted a stop-and-search operation along the route and arrested six suspects travelling in five vehicles while allegedly transporting materials believed to be intended for terrorist groups.
Items recovered included 202 cartons of herbicides, one jerrycan containing suspected acid, one Starlink wireless internet communication system, six bags of NPK fertiliser, 10 bags of rice, 50 hoes and 20 packs of knapsack sprayer pumps.
“The operation culminated in the arrest of six suspected terrorist logistics suppliers travelling in five vehicles while conveying a large consignment of materials destined for terrorist elements,” Goni said.
He stated that preliminary assessments indicated the recovered items had potential dual-use applications that could support logistics, mobility and communications.
According to him, the NPK fertiliser and the suspected acid would undergo technical and forensic examination to determine whether they were intended for the fabrication of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
“Preliminary assessment indicates that the recovered consignment comprises materials with potential dual-use applications capable of supporting terrorist logistics, sustainment, mobility and communications. Some of the recovered items, particularly the NPK fertilisers and suspected acid, will undergo further technical and forensic examination to determine their intended use, including any possible application in the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),” he said.
Goni added that the suspects and recovered items had been handed over to the appropriate Military Intelligence Regiment for further investigation to determine the intended recipients, identify other members of the alleged logistics network and track additional collaborators.
He said preliminary debriefings of rescued hostages and surrendered families of former terrorist members indicated that sustained military operations targeting logistics and supply chains had weakened the operational capacity of terrorist groups.
Goni 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 operations in the North-East.
