Troops Arrest Two Suspected ISWAP Informants in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested two suspected informants and logistics suppliers linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in separate operations conducted in Borno State.
The arrests were made by troops operating under Operation Desert Sanity as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist support networks and disrupt insurgent activities across the North-East.
According to a special operational report released by the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, the first suspect, identified as Adams Shittima, 23, was arrested in Damboa town on June 9 by combined troops of the 19 Battalion and 25 Brigade Garrison in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
Military sources said the suspect was apprehended while allegedly purchasing farm inputs and mosquito nets intended for terrorist elements operating within Damboa Local Government Area.
Preliminary investigations, according to the report, revealed that the suspect allegedly served as both a logistics supplier and an informant for insurgent groups.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed to supplying logistics and providing information to terrorist elements operating within the area,” the report stated.
The military said the suspect is currently undergoing further investigation at the Headquarters of the 25 Brigade to determine the extent of his involvement and identify other members of the network.
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In a related development, troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion arrested another suspected Boko Haram informant later the same day during an operation conducted in the battalion’s area of responsibility.
The suspect was apprehended at a location within the operational area and subsequently taken into custody for interrogation.
Military authorities said the suspect is being held at the Abogo Largema Military Cantonment, where investigations are ongoing.
Security experts have consistently warned that informants and logistics suppliers constitute a critical component of insurgent operations, often providing intelligence on troop movements, facilitating the movement of supplies and helping terrorists evade security operations.
Analysts note that while frontline fighters often attract public attention, support networks made up of informants, couriers and logistics suppliers are essential to the survival and operational effectiveness of terrorist groups.
According to them, sustained operations targeting these networks can significantly weaken insurgent capabilities by disrupting communication channels, restricting access to supplies and limiting their ability to gather intelligence.
The latest arrests come amid intensified intelligence-led operations by troops of Operation Hadin Kai aimed at identifying and dismantling terrorist support structures across the North-East theatre.
Military authorities have maintained that denying insurgents access to logistics, information and local support remains a key pillar of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in the region.
The military further stated that the overall security situation across the theatre remains calm but unpredictable, while troops continue to maintain high morale and combat readiness in the execution of ongoing operations.