Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested four suspected logistics suppliers to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in separate intelligence-led operations conducted in Borno and Yobe states.

The military also intercepted 20 suspected family members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists who reportedly fled their enclave following sustained military offensives in Borno State.

The arrests were announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni.

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, following credible intelligence that led to the arrest of two suspected terrorist collaborators.

The military said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly involved in supplying hard drugs and other logistics to Boko Haram insurgents, thereby aiding their operations.

Items recovered during the operation 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, a National Identity Card, a Permanent Voter’s Card, ATM cards and cash amounting to N14,530.

In a separate operation carried out around 3:30 p.m. the same day, troops of Sector 3 Garrison, working alongside the 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, arrested two suspected ISWAP logistics suppliers in Monguno Town, Borno State.

The operation, according to the military, followed sustained surveillance of suspected terrorist supply routes as part of efforts to cut off logistics support to insurgents.

“During preliminary interrogation, the suspects confessed to conveying food items and other supplies to ISWAP terrorists operating in Kwatan Dowoshi Village, Kukawa Local Government Area,” the statement said.

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, cash of N6,600 and other items.

In another development, troops of the 222 Battalion (Main) on routine patrol along the Gezuwa axis in Konduga Local Government Area intercepted 20 suspected family members of JAS terrorists who reportedly fled their hideout after recent military offensives.

The military said the group comprised nine women, two men, eight female minors and one male minor.

“During preliminary investigation, they disclosed that they escaped from Gezuwa after military offensive against their settlement,” the statement added.

According to the military, the intercepted individuals have been handed over to the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment for profiling and further necessary action.

Captain Goni said all arrested suspects and recovered exhibits had also been transferred to the appropriate Military Intelligence units for further investigation.

He noted that the latest operations highlight the effectiveness of Operation HADIN KAI’s intelligence-driven strategy in disrupting terrorist logistics networks and denying insurgents access to critical supplies.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining pressure on Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters while urging members of the public to continue providing credible and timely intelligence to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North-East.