Army troops capture suspected ISWAP logistics supplier in Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a suspected logistics supplier to the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, while attempting to transport a large consignment of pharmaceutical drugs towards Damboa in Borno State.

This is contained in a post on X by a security expert, Zagazola Makama on Saturday.

Zagazola said the suspect was intercepted at about 11:00 a.m. on July 10 during routine security screening by intelligence personnel of the 18 Battalion deployed at the Molai Main Entrance Gate on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

He identified the suspect as Mohammed Goni, 31, who was travelling in a vehicle heading towards Damboa when troops subjected the vehicle to a routine search.

Zagazola added that the search led to the discovery of a large quantity of assorted pharmaceutical drugs in the suspect’s possession.

He was unable to produce any valid clearance or documentation authorising the movement of the medical supplies to the conflict-prone area.

“The circumstances surrounding the movement of the drugs raised suspicion, prompting the troops to immediately detain the suspect for further interrogation,” he said.

According to him, the suspect has since been handed over to the Military Intelligence Brigade for detailed investigation to determine the source of the drugs, their intended destination and any possible links to ISWAP’s logistics network operating within the North-East.

The arrest, he said, forms part of ongoing intelligence-led efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to dismantle terrorist logistics networks by intercepting critical supplies before they reach insurgent enclaves. Investigations are ongoing.