Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested six suspected suppliers of logistics to terrorist groups during an intelligence-led operation in the North-East, the military has said.
The suspects were apprehended while transporting a large consignment of materials in five vehicles allegedly destined for insurgents operating in the region.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, said the operation was carried out at about 4 p.m. on July 19 along a route believed to be used for supplying terrorist groups.
“Troops of Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a suspected terrorist logistics network and arrested six suspects during a well-coordinated covert operation aimed at disrupting terrorist supply chains in the North-East Theatre,” Goni said.
“The operation culminated in the arrest of six suspected terrorist logistics suppliers travelling in five vehicles while conveying a large consignment of materials destined for terrorist elements,” he added.
According to the military, items recovered from the suspects include 202 cartons of herbicides, one jerrycan containing a substance suspected to be acid, a Starlink wireless internet communication system, six bags of NPK fertiliser, 10 bags of rice, 50 hoes and 20 packs of knapsack sprayer pumps.
Goni said preliminary findings suggest the recovered items could serve both civilian and terrorist purposes, with some materials requiring further analysis.
“Some of the recovered items, particularly the NPK fertilisers and suspected acid, will undergo further technical and forensic examination to determine their intended use, including any possible application in the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),” he said.
He noted that the operation had dealt a significant blow to the logistics network sustaining terrorist activities in the region.
The spokesperson disclosed that the six suspects and all recovered items had been handed over to the appropriate Military Intelligence Regiment for further investigation aimed at identifying the intended recipients, uncovering the wider supply network and arresting other collaborators.
“The six suspects and all recovered items have been handed over to the appropriate Military Intelligence Regiment for comprehensive investigation to establish the intended recipients, identify the wider logistics network, and facilitate the apprehension of other collaborators and sponsors,” he stated.
Goni further said intelligence gathered from rescued hostages and surrendered families of insurgents indicated that sustained military operations targeting supply chains had weakened the operational capacity of terrorist groups.
“Persistent shortages of food, medical supplies, communications equipment and other essential logistics have compelled many terrorists to abandon their hostages, families and enclaves while fleeing sustained military pressure,” he said.
He reaffirmed the military’s commitment to dismantling terrorist support networks through intelligence-driven operations.
“The Theatre will continue to target terrorists, their financiers, logistics suppliers, informants and collaborators to deny them the resources, freedom of movement and operational capability required to sustain their campaign of terrorism,” Goni added.
He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, saying community support remains critical to ongoing counter-terrorism operations and efforts to restore lasting peace in the North-East.
