Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have intercepted a suspicious vehicle and recovered about N37 million in cash along with several mobile phones believed to be linked to terrorist activities in Borno State.
The spokesman of the task force, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the operation was carried out by troops at the Forward Operating Base Chabbal Checkpoint as part of sustained efforts to dismantle financial and logistical networks supporting insurgent groups in the North East.
According to him, the vehicle, which had five occupants, was intercepted during routine patrols along identified terrorist transit routes.
He described the interception as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing campaign to cut off financial channels suspected to be fueling terrorist logistics and operations across the region.
In a related development, troops also repelled coordinated attacks by terrorists on Pulka and Mandaragirau communities in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State. During the engagements, several insurgents were neutralised, including a senior Boko Haram commander identified as Abou Aisha, who reportedly sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the neck.
Uba said troops recovered a cache of weapons and equipment during the operation. He added that while no casualties were recorded among the troops, some members of the Civilian Joint Task Force supporting the mission lost their lives.
He stated that injured soldiers were promptly evacuated through the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai and Nigerian Army aviation platforms for medical attention.
The spokesman explained that the recent operations form part of a deliberate strategy to disrupt terrorist supply chains and restrict insurgents’ freedom of movement within the theatre of operations.
He revealed that between February 14 and 16, terrorists launched attacks from the Sambisa Forest axis targeting Pulka and Mandaragirau communities. However, troops responded with intense counter-fire, successfully containing the assaults and forcing the insurgents to retreat.
Uba paid tribute to the fallen personnel and Civilian Joint Task Force members, describing their sacrifice as a reflection of courage, commitment, and dedication to the defence of the nation.
