By Emmanuella Oghenetega
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai has arrested a Chinese national and several suspected logistics suppliers and collaborators of terrorist groups during coordinated operations in Borno and Yobe States.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, made this disclosure at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, during the military’s weekly press briefing.
He stated, that the arrests were made between June 5 and 7 in Kukawa and Ngala Local Government Areas of Borno State and Geidam LGA of Yobe State.
He also revealed, that some of the Items recovered from the suspects include a vehicle, a motorcycle, mobile phones, a Chinese international passport, and ₦10,000 in cash.
According to the Defence Headquarters, the suspects are believed to have provided logistical and other forms of support to terrorists belonging to the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), two groups behind years of insurgency in the Northeast.
The arrests were part of a broader series of offensive operations carried out by troops between June 6 and 10 in Gwoza, Ngala, and Marte LGAs of Borno State, and Bade and Gujba LGAs of Yobe State.
During the operations, the military said, “troops killed several terrorists, rescued three kidnapped victims, and recovered arms, ammunition, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), vehicles, motorcycles, and other equipment. Terrorist camps and facilities were also destroyed.”
General Kangye further disclosed that in addition to the combat operations, several terrorists, including men, women, and children, surrendered to Nigerian forces between June 6 and 11 as sustained military pressure forced many insurgents to abandon their positions.
Elsewhere, troops of Operation Fasan Yamma in the North West, Operation Safe Haven in the North Central, and Operation Delta Safe in the South South continued to record successes in counter-terrorism, anti-banditry, and anti-oil theft operations during the week under review.
The Defence Headquarters said all suspects are currently in custody for further investigation.
