Bh Hadiza Mohammed, Northern Operation
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded fresh operational gains with the surrender of a Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (BH/ISWAP) fighter in Borno State and the arrest of six suspected kidnappers in Adamawa State.
The military said the operations, conducted separately, further demonstrated the sustained pressure being mounted against terrorist and criminal groups operating across the North-East.
On September 13, troops of 29 Task Force Brigade, operating under Sector 2 of Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with Forest Guards, received a suspected BH/ISWAP fighter who surrendered at Borgozo in Benisheikh, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to the military, preliminary investigation showed that the suspect had escaped from a terrorist enclave with the intention of abandoning the group’s activities.
Troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, 14 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, four magazines, an improvised explosive device (IED), a magazine pouch and a bicycle from the surrendered fighter.
The suspect has been taken into military custody for further investigation and profiling in line with established procedures.
In a separate operation in Adamawa State, troops of Sector 4, Operation HADIN KAI, acting on credible human intelligence, raided a suspected hideout of a kidnapping syndicate around Soktu Hill in Song Local Government Area.
The operation, conducted in conjunction with local hunters, resulted in the arrest of three suspected members of the syndicate and the recovery of a Dane gun.
Further investigation and subsequent covert operations led to the arrest of three additional suspects, bringing the total number of suspected members of the syndicate in custody to six.
The military said preliminary investigations indicated that the syndicate had been operating across the Soktu, Dumne and Maigero areas of Song LGA.
The suspects reportedly admitted to involvement in the abduction of several victims for ransom, as well as other violent crimes in the area.
The six suspects remain in military custody pending further investigation and appropriate legal action.
The latest operations, the military said, reflect the continued efforts of Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt terrorist networks, dismantle criminal syndicates and deny hostile elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.
The Theatre Command said it would sustain offensive operations aimed at creating a safer environment for residents and supporting socioeconomic activities across the North-East, according to a statement by Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer,Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East).
