Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI, the Nigerian military’s counter-insurgency task force in the North-East, have intercepted a vehicle carrying five suspects and recovered approximately ₦37 million in cash along with several mobile phones at a checkpoint in Borno State, security officials confirmed on Monday.
According to the theatre command’s spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, soldiers manning a routine checkpoint at the Forward Operating Base Chabbal stopped a red Volkswagen Golf wagon bearing registration number MNG 463 XA while it was en route to Magumeri Local Government Area. During a thorough search of the vehicle, the troops uncovered the large sum of money concealed inside a “Ghana Must Go” sack and other bags, immediately raising suspicions about its origin and intended use.
The five occupants of the vehicle — three men and two women — were detained by troops as the operation unfolded. Initial questioning revealed that the suspects claimed ignorance of the full amount they were transporting. They later asserted that the cash was meant for distribution to beneficiaries of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), though they were unable to produce any documentation or credible supporting evidence at the checkpoint.
In addition to the cash, troops recovered about 10 assorted mobile phones, which security forces said are now part of ongoing investigations to establish communication patterns, potential networks, and possible links to illicit activities. The phones and other exhibits will be examined by military intelligence and may be shared with relevant civilian authorities for deeper forensic analysis.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba emphasised that the interception underscores the continued vigilance of Operation HADIN KAI in tightening security along key transit and logistics routes across Borno State. “The discovery of such a large volume of cash in a conflict-prone area at a routine checkpoint highlights the need for sustained surveillance and thorough searches to prevent financial support from reaching criminal or extremist networks,” he said in a statement.
The suspects, together with the seized funds and recovered items, are expected to be transferred to relevant security and law enforcement agencies for further investigation, prosecution where warranted, and verification of any potential links to criminal syndicates or insurgent financing channels.
Borno State remains a focal point of Nigeria’s insurgency and counter-insurgency efforts, with armed groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) historically exploiting informal routes and networks for logistics support. While significant territorial losses have been inflicted on these groups through sustained military pressure under Operation HADIN KAI, analysts note that financial conduits remain a key vulnerability that security forces are increasingly targeting.
Officials did not indicate whether they suspect the cash was directly linked to insurgent financing, ransom payments, criminal enterprise, or other forms of illicit activity. However, security observers have highlighted that bulk cash movements without transparent documentation in regions affected by violence often warrant deeper scrutiny, especially given the high demand for physical cash in unbanked and remote areas. Analysts also stress that rigorous investigation is essential to distinguish between genuine humanitarian operations and schemes that may inadvertently or deliberately aid criminality.
The interception follows recent reports of intensified military operations in the region, including engagements that disrupted insurgent movements and recovered arms and logistics supplies along strategic corridors. The coordinated approach reflects the Nigerian military’s broader strategy to combine kinetic operations with financial and intelligence measures to undercut the operational capacities of armed groups.
As enquiries continue, authorities are expected to provide further updates regarding the identities of the five suspects, the legitimacy of the claimed NGO distribution, and whether additional arrests or legal actions will follow.
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