Troops nab soldier, police personnel smuggling arms to terrorists

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have apprehended a serving soldier and a police officer for alleged involvement in smuggling arms and logistics to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the North East.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told our correspondent that the suspects were apprehended between Sept. 26 and Sept. 28 in intelligence led operations.

The source said the troops on internal security operations, had on Sept. 26, intercepted suspicious movement of military-grade ammunition along a known terror supply route in Borno.

He said the surveillance led to a sting operation on Sept. 27, during which the suspects were caught with rifles, ammunition and communication devices.

He added that the preliminary investigation confirmed their alleged links to a wider supply network now under close watch.

According to him, the duo are in military custody for interrogation and will face disciplinary measures before being handed over for prosecution.

The source said the arrests marked a decisive step in dismantling insider collusion and disrupting terror logistics chains.

He stressed army’s determination to rid the service of bad eggs and sustain public confidence in ongoing counter-terrorism operations.

The source added that troops also apprehended a suspected Boko Haram collaborator, in Baga area of Borno.

He said the troops intercepted three motorcycles ferrying 32 Jerry cans of petrol at Kasuwan Dere, Mubi South Local Government Area of Adamawa.

In the North West, the source said the troops of 17 Brigade nabbed a suspected terrorist logistics supplier and an informant in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina.

According to him, preliminary investigation linked the suspects to an arms dealer with ties to an operative codenamed Babaru.

“Another suspect escaped after scaling a fence as troops closed in, while several kidnap victims were rescued in other theatres,” he said.