Troops of the joint task force (JTF) north-east, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have intercepted a large consignment of logistics supplies believed to be meant for terrorist groups.
In a recent statement, the theatre command said the breakthrough occurred under Operation Desert Sanity IV on September 16 after troops followed up on credible intelligence.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, troops were said to have stopped a red 14-tyre trailer on the Nguru–Gashua road in Yobe at about 7:40am and moved the vehicle to a secure location for further checks.
“The vehicle was later moved to a secured location and carefully offloaded. On inspection at about 9:00 p.m., the same day, troops discovered 700 bags of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser used in making IEDs, 27 cartons of assorted drugs, and nine cartons of normal saline solution, all concealed beneath bundles of fabric materials,” the report reads.
The command said the consignment was meant for transportation to Niger Republic.
On the same day, at about 10:30am, troops operating along the same axis intercepted two Sharon vehicles and an additional trailer carrying bulk fabric and several solar panels.
The fabric consignments were said to have been intended for sewing uniforms for fighters.
“All drivers, motor boys, and the recovered items are in custody, pending further investigation and the arrest of identified consignees and consignors,” the report added.
The theatre command urged residents to continue sharing timely intelligence to help security forces sever supply lines for insurgent groups.
It added that the military high command had commended the troops for their performance and reiterated the force’s commitment to disrupting logistics chains that sustain violence in the north-east.
