By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have recorded major operational successes, including the arrest of suspected terrorists and collaborators, rescue of kidnapped civilians, and recovery of explosive devices across parts of Yobe and Adamawa states.
The Media Information Officer of OPHK, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, detailing a series of coordinated operations carried out by troops in the theatre.
Uba said troops deployed at Ngamdu apprehended two suspected terrorists, Haruna Adamu, 32, and Ibrahim Adamu, 20, who allegedly fled from Zamfara State into Yobe State.
He said items recovered from the suspects include a smartphone, keypad phone, power bank, identification card, suspected illicit substances, charms, and other personal effects, adding that they have been handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation.
In a related operation, troops of 254 Battalion under Sector 2 arrested a suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP informant, Ali Muhammad, 30, at Ngamdu Market.
According to him, the suspect, who had been on the watchlist, was found in possession of cash, a mobile phone, identification cards, charms, a knife, and an exercise book containing phone numbers of suspected terrorist contacts.
He described the arrest as a major disruption to the intelligence network of terrorist elements operating within the area.
Uba further disclosed that troops, during a night operation around Mubi general area of Adamawa State, arrested five suspected drug peddlers found with various items, including ammunition, noting that they are currently in custody undergoing further investigation.
He added that troops in Madagali, in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force, responded to a distress call and successfully rescued two kidnapped victims, Barnabas Apagu, 12, and Ruth Apagu, 10, while efforts are ongoing to secure the release of others still in captivity.
The spokesman also said troops deployed in Kukareta area of Yobe State recovered a hand grenade suspected to have been abandoned by fleeing terrorists, adding that the explosive device was safely secured.
He noted that the Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain operational momentum, while reassuring the public of continued efforts to restore peace and stability in the North-East.
