Troops arrest 22 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Mafa, seize smoked fish consignment

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), North-East Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested a suspected terrorist logistics supplier and 21 accomplices transporting large quantities of smoked fish believed to be linked to insurgent financing in Borno State.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were apprehended at about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday by troops of 112 Task Force Battalion, under 24 Task Force Brigade, deployed at Checkpoint 2 in Mafa Local Government Area.

The main suspect, identified as 40-year-old Ibrahim Bukar, was intercepted alongside others while conveying 59 cartons and 28 sacks of smoked fish in two Isuzu trucks.

“Preliminary interrogation revealed that the smoked fish was handed over to them in Laje village by terrorists,” the report said.

Sources added that the main suspect confessed to having supplied various items to terrorists over time, and was positively identified by hybrid forces who confirmed he once served as their supplier while in the bush.

All suspects and the recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation.

Troops arrest 22 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Mafa, seize smoked fish consignment

Troops neutralise terrorist, recover rifle in Dalwa clearance operation in Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF), North-East Operation Hadin Kai, have neutralised a terrorist and recovered arms and ammunition during a fighting patrol around Delwa and Tojiri villages in Borno State.

Zagazola gathered that the operation was conducted on Wednesday by the troops, working in conjunction with hunters and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

Sources said that the troops, deployed to Delwa village, advanced towards Tojiri at about 9:00 a.m. and came under fire from terrorists.

“The troops engaged the terrorists with heavy volume of fire, neutralising one of them while others fled in disarray.

“During exploitation of the general area, troops recovered one FN rifle, two FN magazines containing 28 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, two Tecno phones and three sachets of drugs,” the report said.

The sources added that no casualty was recorded on the side of the troops.
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Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire

By: Zagazola Makama

Troops have repelled an attempted kidnapping along the Makurdi–Kura road in Benue State, but a driver was killed during a crossfire between soldiers and suspected bandits on Wednesday evening.

Zagazola gathered that the incident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. when a group of engineers travelling from Kura to Makurdi encountered armed men who had blocked the road, intending to abduct passengers in a bus ahead of them.

According to a local source, soldiers on routine patrol were behind the engineers’ vehicle and immediately engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing the assailants to flee into the bush.

During the exchange of fire, Ochoche Otokolo Ekwu, the driver of the engineers’ vehicle, was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot.

The source said the Divisional Police Officer of ‘D’ Division mobilised a patrol team alongside tactical units to the scene, where the corpse was evacuated and deposited at a mortuary in Makurdi.

The source added that security operatives are currently combing nearby bushes to track the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks along the route.

Troops repel kidnapping attempt on Makurdi–Kura road, driver killed in crossfire