Troops intercept terror drug courier in Borno

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a Chadian woman allegedly transporting a large consignment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited items suspected to be destined for terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Islands.

The arrest was made on Thursday during an intelligence-led operation by troops of Sector 3 along the Maiduguri–Monguno highway in Borno State.

According to the Acting Military Information Officer, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, the suspect, identified as 48-year-old Rachael Samuel from Kelo in Chad’s Chari-Baguirmi Province, was intercepted while travelling toward Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area.

He said preliminary investigations indicated that the recovered items were being transported to terrorist elements operating within the Lake Chad region.

Among the items recovered were seven compressed bundles of suspected cannabis weighing about 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, popularly known as “Suck and Die,” one carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin, 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages, a mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, cash and other personal belongings.

The military said the seized items have an estimated street value running into millions of naira.

The suspect is currently in military custody, while the exhibits have been secured pending transfer to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution.

Operation Hadin Kai said the operation dealt another blow to terrorist logistics networks, noting that intelligence has consistently shown that insurgents rely on illicit drugs and intoxicants to enhance endurance, suppress fear and facilitate violent attacks.

The military added that intercepting the consignment before it reached its destination disrupted a critical supply chain supporting terrorist operations in the North-East.

The Theatre Command commended the troops for their vigilance and professionalism, assuring residents that operations targeting terrorists and their collaborators would continue across the region.

It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace in the North-East.