TROOPS of the Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have intercepted two pick-up vans suspected to be transporting logistics supplies to fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
The interception was carried out by troops of Sector 2 of Operation Hadin Kai, working in close coordination with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), following actionable intelligence on the movement of terrorist logistics within the North-East.
The Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt. Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Friday, noting that the operation was intelligence-driven and executed with precision.
According to him, credible human intelligence alerted the military to the planned movement of the supplies from Dapchi in Yobe State toward the Magumeri axis of Borno State, a known transit corridor for terrorist logistics.
“Acting promptly on the intelligence, troops tactically deployed along the identified route and successfully intercepted the two pick-up vans conveying items suspected to be intended for ISWAP terrorists,” Uba said.
A search of the vehicles led to the recovery of a large cache of materials believed to support terrorist mobility, sustenance, and operations. Items recovered include two civilian vehicles, 31 spare tyres, 23 spare rims, two bicycles, 12 ignition key starters, three alternators, two bags of flour, one mattress, five bags of charcoal, 34 tubers of yam, two blankets, two nylons of garri, assorted adult and children clothing, one power bank, six mobile phones, and cash in various denominations.
Military authorities believe the items were meant to sustain terrorist camps and facilitate mobility, vehicle repairs, and daily survival in remote hideouts.
Lt. Colonel Uba added that the drivers conveying the intercepted items, along with the recovered materials, are currently in military custody and undergoing interrogation to establish the extent of their involvement and identify possible collaborators within the supply network.
“The suspects and recovered items are being thoroughly investigated to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations and dismantle terrorist logistics chains,” he said.
He described the operation as a significant success that highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and the continued collaboration between troops and local security partners.
“This successful interception underscores our sustained efforts to deny terrorists freedom of movement, disrupt their supply routes, and degrade their operational capabilities,” the spokesperson stated.
Uba reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigerian military to ensuring the safety and security of law-abiding citizens across the North-East, stressing that troops remain resolute in cutting off all forms of support to terrorist groups.
Meanwhile, the military has continued to intensify counter-terrorism operations across the country. In January, troops of the 1 Brigade of the Joint Task Force, Operation Fasan Yamma, in collaboration with operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), intercepted a large cache of arms in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
That operation followed intelligence on the activities of suspected arms dealers linked to cross-border trafficking networks connected to the Niger Republic.