Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested four suspected collaborators linked to 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) terrorists who were reportedly fleeing their enclave following intensified military offensives in Borno State.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, who said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist logistics and support networks across the North-East.
According to the statement, troops of the 159 Battalion under Sector 2 carried out a cordon-and-search operation in Geidam Town, Yobe State, on August 3 after receiving credible intelligence. The operation led to the arrest of two suspects alleged to have supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram fighters.
Military authorities said items recovered from the suspects included suspected Indian hemp, multiple mobile phones, power banks, knives, torchlights, lighters, cigarette rolls, Pregabalin capsules, cough syrup, identity cards, ATM cards and ₦14,530 in cash.
In a separate operation, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working alongside the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers in Monguno, Borno State. During preliminary interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to transporting food items and other supplies to ISWAP fighters operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village in Kukawa Local Government Area.
Recovered exhibits from the operation included cartons of biscuits, Peak milk, sugar, sachet garri, bars of soap, headlamps, lighters, mobile phones, an assault knife, a charm belt, prayer beads, herbal medicine and ₦6,600 in cash.
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 consisted of nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor.
According to the military, the individuals told investigators they fled Gezuwa after sustained military offensives against terrorist hideouts 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 items have been transferred to the appropriate military intelligence units for further investigation. He added that the operations demonstrate the effectiveness of intelligence-driven military campaigns aimed at disrupting terrorist supply chains and weakening insurgent networks across the North-East.
The military also appealed to residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and the restoration of lasting peace in the region.
