Troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have intercepted a suspected foreign terrorist drug courier allegedly transporting a large consignment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances believed to be destined for terrorist elements operating in the Lake Chad Islands.
The operation’s Acting Military Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Goni, described the interception as “another significant operational success” in the military’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the logistical networks supporting terrorist activities in the North-East.
According to Goni, the suspect was arrested on Thursday during a stop-and-search operation along the Maiduguri–Monguno road. Troops intercepted a suspicious vehicle travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
“The suspect, identified as Mrs Rachael Samuel, 48, a Chadian national from Kelo in Chari-Baguirmi Province, Republic of Chad, was arrested while conveying the prohibited items. Preliminary findings indicate that the recovered substances were being transported to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area known to harbour terrorist elements,” the statement said.
Items recovered from the suspect included seven compressed bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa 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, and 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages.
Goni said the seized items have an estimated street value running into millions of naira.
Troops also recovered a mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, cash and other personal belongings.
The suspect remains in military custody, while the recovered exhibits have been secured pending their handover to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Goni said the interception underscores Operation Hadin Kai’s resolve to deny terrorist groups access to supplies and logistics used to sustain their activities.
“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. By intercepting the consignment before it reached its destination, the troops have disrupted another critical aspect of the terrorists’ support network,” the statement added.
The military also commended the vigilance and professionalism of the troops, assuring the public that operations against terrorist groups and their collaborators would continue.
