Military Recover Surveillance Drone, Nab Suspected ISWAP Logistics Supplier in Borno
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded fresh operational successes in Borno State with the recovery of a surveillance drone after a clash with suspected ISWAP terrorists and the arrest of a suspected logistics supplier to Boko Haram/ISWAP elements.
In one operation, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Izge, in collaboration with volunteer forces, recovered an ultra-light drone during a fighting patrol in the Izge area of Borno State.
Sources disclosed that the encounter occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on December 30 in the Pridang general area, when troops on patrol came in contact with an unconfirmed number of suspected ISWAP terrorists believed to be on a surveillance mission.
According to the sources, the terrorists were suspected to be planning to deploy the drone to monitor the movement and activities of troops and local residents in the area. The troops engaged the terrorists with overwhelming firepower, forcing them to abandon the drone and flee in disarray, possibly with gunshot wounds.
Read Also:
Following the encounter, troops conducted a thorough exploitation of the area and recovered one drone along with its complete accessories.
In a separate operation, troops of 5 Brigade, Operation Hadin Kai, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), arrested a 38-year-old man suspected to be a logistics supplier to Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in the Damasak area of Borno State.
The suspect, identified as Makinta Bukar, was intercepted at about 6:15 p.m. on December 28 while allegedly attempting to move out of Damasak town through the Walada international border into the bush.
Items recovered from the suspect included two new Android phones, a power bank, a small solar panel, an MP3 device, a torchlight, a blanket, a sleeping mat, 50 centilitres of cooking oil, a small quantity of rice and the sum of N4,500, among other sundry items believed to be intended for terrorists.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hails from Gamari village in the Niger Republic. The suspect and the recovered items are currently in the custody of the 5 Brigade Provost Company, while investigation continues.
The military said the latest operations underscore ongoing efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to disrupt terrorist logistics, intelligence-gathering capabilities and cross-border movements in the North-East.
By PRNigeria
