Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have repelled multiple infiltration attempts by ISWAP terrorists across Borno State, thwarting coordinated efforts to breach security lines in several communities.
The military said the attacks targeted Muna Garage, Shuwari Village, the Ajilari Cross axis in Maiduguri, as well as Miringa and Dutsen Kura in Buratai, but were foiled through early detection and coordinated firepower.
Acting Media Information Officer, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said Friday’s operations took place between 12:20 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., when terrorists attempted to infiltrate Muna Garage, Shuwari Village and the Ajilari Cross axis to gain access to the Maiduguri metropolis.
“With early warning mechanisms in place, troops swiftly detected the advancing terrorists and engaged them from multiple axes with accurate firepower, decisively frustrating all attempts to infiltrate,” Goni said.
He added that troops also repelled separate infiltration attempts at Miringa and Dutsen Kura. During the pursuit of fleeing terrorists at Miringa, a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle triggered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), but no casualties were recorded.
According to Goni, the troops’ swift tactical manoeuvres forced the terrorists to abandon their mission and retreat from all locations.
In a separate operation, troops intercepted a suspected foreign terrorist logistics courier along the Maiduguri–Monguno axis.
The suspect, identified as Mrs. Rachael Samuel, a 48-year-old Chadian national, was arrested while allegedly transporting illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances believed to be destined for terrorist elements operating around the Lake Chad Islands.
Recovered items included seven compressed bundles of Cannabis sativa weighing about 30 kilograms, two containers of hydromercuric chloride popularly known as “Suck and Die,” cartons of dry gin, herbal alcoholic beverages, cash, ATM cards and other personal effects.
The military said the recovered items, valued at millions of naira, have been secured pending handover to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for further investigation and prosecution.
Goni said the interception underscored Operation HADIN KAI’s commitment to cutting off terrorists’ logistics and supply chains.
“Available intelligence has consistently shown that illicit drugs and intoxicants are frequently used by terrorist groups to stimulate fighters, suppress fear and facilitate violent operations,” he said.
The Theatre Command commended the troops for their professionalism and assured residents that operations against terrorists and their collaborators would continue. It also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security in the North-East.