TROOPS ARREST SUSPECTED TERRORIST INFORMANTS, LOGISTICS SUPPLIERS IN BORNO BY : BERTRAM NWANNEKANMA

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested suspected terrorist informants and logistics suppliers, received the surrender of a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and destroyed an improvised explosive device (IED) during separate operations across Borno State.

According to an operational report released yesterday, troops of the 195 Battalion, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), arrested a suspected ISWAP/Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) informant in Dusuman Ward, Mafa Local Council.

The report stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly met with terrorists at Labe village to provide intelligence on troop movements and operational activities.

In a separate operation, troops of the 73 Battalion arrested a suspected ISWAP member in Konduga Local Council after he voluntarily surrendered.

The report said the suspect confessed to participating in three attacks on Delwa community and claimed he threw his AK-47 rifle into a river before surrendering. Items recovered from him included a bicycle, a cutlass, bicycle repair tools and N6,500.

Also, troops of the 149 Battalion, working with members of the CJTF, arrested another suspected terrorist informant in Gubio Local Council.

According to the report, the suspect allegedly confessed to leading the June 16 terrorist infiltration of Gubio, during which a CJTF member was killed.

Meanwhile, troops of the 19 Battalion and the 25 Brigade Garrison intercepted suspected terrorist logistics suppliers near Road Kauji in Damboa Local Council.

The suspects reportedly fled on sighting the troops, abandoning two bicycles, cartons of energy drinks, milk, soft drinks, veterinary medicines and a canopy.

In another operation, troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade discovered and safely detonated an IED planted in a farming area around Dagari in the Sambisa Forest, Bama Local Council.

The military said the operations formed part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist support networks, restrict insurgents’ freedom of movement and strengthen security across the North-East.