By Chimezie Godfrey
Troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have arrested a 48-year-old Chadian woman allegedly transporting illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances believed to be destined for terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Islands.
According to the Acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, the suspect was intercepted on Thursday during an intelligence-led operation along the Maiduguri–Monguno highway in Borno State.
Goni said the troops stopped a suspicious vehicle travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area and arrested the suspect, identified as Mrs Rachael Samuel, a Chadian national from Kelo in Chari-Baguirmi Province, Republic of Chad.
He said preliminary investigations indicated that the recovered items were being transported to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, where terrorist groups are known to operate.
According to the military, items recovered from the suspect include 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, 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages, a mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, cash and other personal effects.
The statement said the suspect remains in military custody, while the recovered exhibits have been secured pending transfer to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Captain Goni said the interception represented another major blow to the logistics network sustaining terrorist operations in the North East.
”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,” he said.
He commended the troops for their vigilance and professionalism, assuring Nigerians that Operation HADIN KAI would sustain offensive operations against terrorists and their collaborators across the North East.
The military also appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and security in the region.
Troops Apprehends Chadian Woman, Intercept Drugs, Alcohol Allegedly Bound for Terrorists in Lake Chad
