Troops Arrest 5 Suspected B’Haram Logistics Suppliers in Borno

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 18 Battalion, operating under the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI and Operation DESERT SANITY V, have arrested five suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Borno State.

The suspects were apprehended at about 7:52 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, following surveillance by personnel monitoring the battalion’s CCTV system, who reportedly spotted them near the frontage of the military location.

A Special Situation Report cited by security publication Zagazola Makama identified the suspects as Umar Mohammed, 60; Abubakar Goni, 42; Abba Ali, 39; Umaru Yusuf, 30; and Ibrahim Bukar.

Following the surveillance alert, troops were immediately mobilised and arrested all five suspects.

Preliminary findings indicated that the route along which the suspects were sighted had been identified as a Boko Haram terrorist logistics corridor, where troops routinely conduct operations aimed at disrupting the movement of fighters, weapons, food and other supplies.

During preliminary interrogation, the suspects reportedly claimed to be charcoal workers and baobab fruit pickers.

The military said the suspects were undergoing profiling and would subsequently be handed over to the 7 Military Intelligence Brigade for further investigation.

The arrests form part of ongoing intelligence-led operations by troops to identify and dismantle terrorist logistics networks supporting insurgent activities across the North-East.

The military said the overall security situation in the theatre remained calm but unpredictable, while troops continued to maintain high levels of morale and operational effectiveness.