Odita Sunday 
Troops arrest five suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Borno, intercept medical consignments
By Odita Sunday
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested five suspected terrorist logistics suppliers and intercepted a large consignment of medical, veterinary and other items believed to be part of a suspected supply network supporting terrorist activities in Borno State.
According to the Acting Military Information Officer, Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the suspects were arrested at about 1:30 p.m. on July 20 during a routine security operation by troops of the 112 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with Hybrid Forces in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.
He said the suspects were intercepted while transporting 491 cartons of Albe Stark 2.5 per cent dewormer and 100 cartons of multivitamin injections for animals without the required waybill or other supporting documents.
Goni disclosed that a detailed search of the vehicles uncovered additional concealed medical supplies, including 32 cartons of Diclofenac Sodium Injection, 58 cartons of Benzylpenicillin Sodium BP, six cartons of Dexamethasone Injection and 51 cartons of Metronidazole Intravenous Infusion.
He added that troops also recovered 30 units of 80-inch LG plasma televisions, 152 empty Bagco sacks and seven mobile phones during the operation.
Preliminary investigations, according to him, revealed that the consignment was destined for a vendor in N’Djamena, Chad Republic, while part of the concealed medical supplies was to be transferred into another truck near the Nigeria-Chad border in what security authorities suspect was an attempt to evade security screening.
”The suspects are currently in the custody of the 24 Task Force Brigade for further investigation,” he said.
Operation HADIN KAI described the interception as another significant success in its sustained campaign to dismantle terrorist logistics and support networks across the North-East.
The military said disrupting suspicious supply chains before they reach their intended destinations would continue to deny terrorist groups the resources needed to sustain their operations and further degrade their operational capabilities.
The command reaffirmed its determination to identify and dismantle all networks providing direct or indirect support to terrorist organisations.
It therefore advised pharmaceutical distributors, transporters, healthcare providers, humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders moving bulk medical, pharmaceutical and agrochemical consignments within the North-East to ensure all shipments are properly documented and, where necessary, coordinated with the appropriate military authorities.
According to the military, the measure is aimed at facilitating legitimate commercial and humanitarian activities while preventing terrorist groups from exploiting supply chains.
Operation HADIN KAI also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains critical to disrupting terrorist logistics networks and consolidating lasting peace and security across the region.
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