Troops arrest six suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Borno

Troops of the Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested six suspected terrorist logistics suppliers during a road maintenance operation in Borno State.

The development was disclosed by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama, in a post on his X handle.

Military sources said the suspects were apprehended at about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday by troops of the 5 Brigade under Operation Desert Sanity.

The suspects were identified as Madu Bagoni Bunu, 32; Kaka Hana, 28; Kwado Bukar, 25; Modu Goni Musa, 28; Lahari Hassan Taira, 30; and Bulama M. Kiari, 25.

According to the sources, the suspects were travelling in an Isuzu pickup vehicle with registration number YOBE AF 106 GDM when they attempted to flee upon sighting troops.

“The suspects abandoned the vehicle and tried to escape, but were pursued and apprehended by the troops,” the sources said.

Items recovered from them included five mobile phones, comprising Redmi, Infinix, Tecno and Itel devices. as well as two new sewing machines.

Others were 10 bundles of assorted clothing materials suspected to be intended for the production of terrorist uniforms, five 25-litre containers of groundnut oil, and two sacks of different varieties of green tea.

Security personnel also recovered seven large wraps of kola nuts, an empty jerrycan, two ATM cards linked to OPay and Moniepoint accounts, the Isuzu pickup vehicle, and N5,077,700 in cash.

Military authorities said the suspects are currently in the custody of the 5 Brigade, where they are undergoing preliminary investigation.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics networks and cut off supplies to insurgent groups operating in the North-East.

The military added that the general security situation in the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops’ morale and operational efficiency remain satisfactory.