How Troops Seized 400 Starlink Devices, Killed 250 Terrorists in North-East Operations — Sector 2 Commander
The Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, says troops have intercepted more than 400 Starlink communication devices allegedly used by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists, while also neutralising over 250 insurgents during sustained military operations across the North-East.
Martins disclosed this during a media briefing in Damaturu, where he highlighted major operational achievements recorded within the sector’s Area of Responsibility covering Yobe and parts of southern Borno.
He said the successes were achieved through a combination of kinetic and intelligence-driven non-kinetic operations aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics, communication networks and operational capabilities.
According to the commander, troops conducted deep penetration and clearance operations into previously inaccessible terrorist enclaves within the Timbuktu Triangle, including Buk, Chileria, Kafa, Abbagajiri and Maisani, as well as Sambisa Forest, Bulabulin Forest and other identified hideouts.
He stated that over 50 terrorists were neutralised during offensive operations in the enclaves, while more than 200 others were killed during failed coordinated attacks on military formations at Kukareta, Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir, Gonori, Buni Gari and Katarko.
“In the course of these operations, troops recovered over 150 assorted weapons and large quantities of ammunition from the terrorists,” Martins said.
The recovered items included AK-47 rifles, PKT machine guns, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) tubes, hand grenades, mortar bombs, motorcycles, communication gadgets and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials.
He added that troops also discovered and destroyed terrorist life-support structures, detention facilities, IED fabrication sites and Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) in Chileria, Buk and other identified locations.
Martins further disclosed that troops intercepted and seized more than 400 Starlink terminals linked to Elon Musk’s satellite internet service during sustained operations across Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle and other insurgent enclaves.
He said the seizures formed part of ongoing efforts to disrupt terrorist logistics and communication systems sustaining insurgent activities in the region.
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“The lifeblood of terrorist activities is logistics resupply, and we are deliberately denying them freedom to move supplies, communication equipment, fuel and other operational items across the theatre,” he said.
The commander explained that the asymmetric nature of the insurgency had enabled terrorists to rely heavily on civilian supply chains and collaborators for movement of food, fuel, drugs, communication gadgets and motorcycle spare parts into remote hideouts.
He acknowledged that some civilians were voluntarily collaborating with insurgents, while others acted under coercion and intimidation.
“There is a high level of collusion between some members of the civil populace and the terrorists. Some do it willingly, while others are forced through threats and coercion,” Martins stated.
According to him, intelligence-driven operations targeting transporters, traders and supply syndicates had led to the arrest of hundreds of logistics suppliers, couriers and collaborators linked to terrorist resupply operations.
“It will interest you to know that arrests are made on a daily basis. So far, we have disrupted over 400 logistics-related cases and networks supporting terrorist operations,” he said.
Martins disclosed that troops intercepted consignments of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), drugs, medical supplies, food items and spare parts suspected to be destined for terrorist camps along major movement corridors stretching from Kano through Nguru and other routes leading into the Timbuktu Triangle and Sambisa Forest.
He further revealed that insurgents had exploited local livestock markets to dispose of rustled animals and generate operational funds.
To counter the trend, he said security forces, local authorities and market stakeholders had introduced livestock verification measures requiring proper identification of ownership before animals could be sold.
“If animals are not properly identified, they will not be sold. Through that arrangement, we are tracking and disrupting their sources of financing,” he said.
The commander attributed the operational successes to sustained offensive pressure, improved intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration between troops and local communities.
He added that continued military offensives and intelligence-led operations had forced several terrorists and their family members to surrender, while significantly restricting insurgents’ freedom of movement and operational flexibility across the theatre.
Martins reaffirmed the commitment of Operation HADIN KAI to intensifying offensive operations, intercepting terrorist supply routes and dismantling communication networks sustaining insurgent activities in the North-East.
By PRNigeria
