Troops of the Northeast Joint Task Force (JTF) under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested two Boko Haram terrorists, an informant and five suspected drug pushers in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

The gallant troops also rescued two kidnapped Boko Haram victims, Barnabas Apagu,12, and Ruth Apagu,10, in Madagali Local Council Area of Adamawa state

The Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lt-Col. Sani Uba disclosed in a statement in Maiduguri that; “The ground troops continue to record significant operational successes across the theatre of war, including the arrest of suspected terrorists and their collaborators,” adding that they also rescued two kidnapped civilians, and recovery of explosive devices during the coordinated counter-terrorism operations.

Besides the arrests of terrorists and an informant, Uba stated, “In a notable development, troops of OPHK deployed at Ngamdu, while conducting some operational engagements in Ngamdu community, apprehended two suspected terrorists identified as Haruna Adamu (32) and Ibrahim Adamu (20).”

He further revealed: “Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects fled from Zamfara state into Yobe State.

“Items recovered from them include a smartphone, keypad phone, power bank, identification card, suspected illicit substances, charms, and other personal effects.”

According to him, the suspects have since been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation.

In a related operation, troops of the 254 Battalion under Headquarters Sector 2, also nabbed a suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) informant, identified as Ali Muhammad (30), at Ngamdu market.

Uba explained that the suspect, who had been on the unit’s watchlist, was found in possession of some cash, a keypad mobile phone, a wallet that contains identification cards, charms, a knife, and an exercise book containing phone numbers of suspected terrorist contacts.

“He has been handed over to Sector 2 Headquarters for detailed interrogation,” he said.

Uba noted that the arrest is considered a major disruption to the intelligence network of terrorist elements operating within the area.

Similarly, troops of OPHK during a night operation around the Mubi general area in Adamawa state, arrested five suspected drug peddlers found in possession of various items, including ammunition.

He said the suspects are currently in custody undergoing further investigation for prosecution in a court of law.

In another operation, troops of OPHK deployed in Madagali, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), responded swiftly to a distress call on a kidnapping incident in Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

The joint team, he added, successfully rescued two kidnapped victims, while efforts are ongoing to secure the safe release of other abducted persons still in Boko Haram captivity.

Additionally, troops of OPHK, deployed in the Kukareta area of Yobe state, recovered a hand grenade suspected to have been abandoned by fleeing terrorists, explaining that the explosive device was safely secured in line with established procedures.

The Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry and sacrifices, urging them to sustain the operational tempo. (The Guardian)

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