Troops Neutralize IED,Nab Boko Haram Suppliers in Borno

MAIDUGURI – Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation Hadin Kai have notched fresh victories against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in Borno State, neutralizing a deadly improvised explosive device (IED) and apprehending two suspects ferrying supplies to insurgents.

The successes, recorded under Operations Desert Sanity IV and V, highlight the military’s intensified push to choke terrorist logistics networks in the Northeast.

In the first incident, soldiers from the 25 Brigade, patrolling the vital Main Supply Route (MSR) along the Damboa-Komala axis, spotted and secured an IED on December 17. Acting swiftly, the troops detonated the device in a controlled explosion, averting potential tragedy for military convoys and civilians traversing the restive corridor. This stretch has seen repeated IED threats, with similar discoveries reported in recent weeks amid escalating insurgent sabotage attempts.

Two days later, on December 19, troops manning a checkpoint on the Maiduguri-Bama Road acted on actionable intelligence to intercept a suspicious Lagos-plated Toyota (registration AKD 244 YE). The vehicle, laden with substantial quantities of assorted food items and energy drinks, was bound for Boko Haram/ISWAP elements hiding in Kirawa Ward, Gwoza Local Government Area – a known insurgent hotspot.

The driver and his accomplice were nabbed on the spot. A search yielded the contraband supplies, three mobile phones, an identity card, a ring, and wads of cash in naira and CFA francs – items believed to fund and sustain terrorist operations.

All suspects, the vehicle, and recovered materials have been transferred to a military intelligence unit for deeper interrogation and prosecution. This bust aligns with a broader pattern: Premium Times reported three similar logistics interdictions in Gwoza since early December, while Vanguard noted over 20 terrorist suppliers arrested across Borno in Operations Desert Sanity, which emphasize route patrols and intelligence-driven raids.

The Military High Command praised the troops’ vigilance, urging sustained momentum. “We remain committed to denying terrorists freedom of action and securing our people,” said Lt. Col. Sani Uba, JTFNE Media Information Officer, in the statement released December 20.

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These operations come as the Nigerian Army ramps up efforts ahead of the yuletide season, with Borno Governor Babagana Zulum recently commending federal forces for reclaiming more territory. Analysts link the uptick in arrests to enhanced surveillance tech and community tips, weakening insurgents who have plagued the region since 2009.

The Northeast conflict, now in its 16th year, has claimed thousands of lives, but recent gains signal progress toward lasting peace.

SANI UBA, Lt. Col., contributed to this report.