Troops Arrest Four Suspected Terrorist Collaborators, Intercept 20 JAS Family Members in North-East
Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded another major success in ongoing counter-terrorism operations with the arrest of four suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) collaborators in separate intelligence-led operations in Yobe and Borno States.
The military said the operations, carried out on August 3, 2026, targeted terrorist logistics and supply networks that have continued to support insurgent activities across the North-East.
In Geidam Town, Yobe State, troops of the 159 Battalion under Sector 2 conducted a cordon-and-search operation based on credible intelligence, leading to the arrest of two suspected terrorist collaborators.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly supplied hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram terrorists.
Items recovered from the suspects included a large quantity of suspected Indian hemp, multiple mobile phones of different brands, power banks, scissors, knives, torchlights, lighters, cigarette rolls, Pregabalin capsules, Piscof syrup, National Identity Card, Permanent Voter’s Card, ATM cards, and ₦14,530 in cash.
In a separate operation conducted at about 3:30 p.m. in Monguno Town, Borno State, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working alongside the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers following sustained surveillance of terrorist supply routes.
The suspects reportedly confessed during preliminary interrogation that they transported food items and other supplies to ISWAP fighters operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village in Kukawa Local Government Area.
Recovered exhibits included 11 cartons and 192 sachets of assorted biscuits, one carton of Peak milk, 10 mudu of sugar, nine bars of Viva soap, six headlamps, two bags and 16 rolls of sachet garri, three packs of lighters, two Tecno button phones, one assault knife, one charm belt, four prayer beads, six packs of herbal medicine, ₦6,600 in cash, and other assorted items.
In another development, troops of the 222 Battalion intercepted 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) along the Gezuwa axis in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State.
The group, comprising nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor, was intercepted while reportedly fleeing their enclave following sustained military offensives.
According to preliminary investigations, the individuals disclosed that they escaped from Gezuwa after military operations intensified in the area. They have since been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and further investigation.
The military said all arrested suspects and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the appropriate Military Intelligence units for further investigation and exploitation.
Operation HADIN KAI stated that the successful operations demonstrate the effectiveness of its intelligence-driven strategy 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 terrorists and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations and the restoration of lasting peace and security in the North-East.
