Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Carmen Diego
Troops of the Nigerian military operating in the North East have intercepted a vehicle allegedly transporting materials suspected to be linked to the logistics network of the Islamic State West Africa Province, marking another tactical move in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign across Borno State.
The operation was reportedly carried out by personnel attached to the Forward Operating Base Chabbal under Operation HADIN KAI. According to security sources cited by counter-insurgency analyst Zagazola Makama, the interception occurred on February 26 during routine checkpoint and search operations along the Maiduguri–Gubio main supply corridor.
The vehicle, identified as a Toyota pickup truck, was stopped while traveling on the strategic route connecting Maiduguri to Gubio. The road is considered a critical logistical artery within Borno State, frequently monitored by security forces due to its vulnerability to insurgent movement and supply transfers. Intelligence reports had indicated increased attempts by extremist elements to exploit civilian transportation networks to move materials under concealment.
During a detailed search of the vehicle, troops reportedly uncovered large quantities of textile materials, approximately 20 Hilux tyre tubes, assorted motorcycle spare parts, 10 cutlasses and three mobile phones. The items were allegedly hidden beneath wooden planks to avoid detection. Security officials suspect the materials may have been intended to support operational mobility and sustainment activities associated with Islamic State West Africa Province, commonly known as ISWAP.
Military sources noted that tyre tubes compatible with Toyota Hilux vehicles are of particular concern, as such vehicles are widely used by insurgent groups for rapid mobility across difficult terrain in the Lake Chad Basin. The combination of spare parts and communication devices is also consistent with efforts to maintain operational readiness in remote areas.
Three male occupants of the pickup truck were apprehended at the scene. They were subsequently transferred, along with the seized materials, to the 7 Mechanised Infantry Brigade for further investigation and intelligence debriefing. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the suspects or confirmed formal charges, pending the outcome of ongoing inquiries.
Operation HADIN KAI remains Nigeria’s principal counter-terrorism and stabilization campaign in the North East, replacing the earlier Operation Lafiya Dole framework. The mission focuses on degrading insurgent capabilities, securing liberated communities and dismantling supply chains that sustain militant activity. Interdiction of logistics networks has become a core component of the strategy, as military planners emphasize that disrupting supply routes can weaken insurgent operational tempo without direct confrontation.
ISWAP, which emerged from a split within Boko Haram in 2016, continues to operate in parts of Borno and the wider Lake Chad region, conducting attacks on military formations, local authorities and civilian targets. The group has maintained a structured supply system relying on smuggling, forced taxation and clandestine procurement of goods through informal markets. Security experts warn that severing these channels is essential to curbing its resilience.
The Maiduguri–Gubio axis has previously witnessed attempts by insurgent elements to infiltrate supply chains disguised as commercial traffic. Military checkpoints along major roads in Borno State have therefore been reinforced, with troops conducting systematic vehicle inspections and intelligence-driven stops. Analysts say such measures, though sometimes slowing civilian travel, are critical to preventing the covert movement of materiel.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the intercepted items were definitively destined for ISWAP fighters, but security officials describe the seizure as consistent with patterns observed in prior supply interdictions. Investigators are expected to analyze the recovered mobile phones for communication data that may reveal broader networks or intended delivery points.
The Lake Chad Basin remains a complex operational environment, with insurgent groups exploiting porous borders and remote terrain spanning Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Nigeria’s armed forces continue to coordinate with regional partners under multinational security frameworks aimed at limiting cross-border militant mobility.
While overall insurgent activity has fluctuated over recent years, sporadic attacks and supply attempts indicate that extremist groups retain adaptive capacity. Military officials stress that sustained vigilance, intelligence gathering and community cooperation remain central to long-term stabilization.
The latest interception underscores the emphasis on logistics disruption as part of a broader counter-insurgency doctrine. By targeting supply corridors rather than solely pursuing battlefield engagements, the military aims to erode the operational endurance of extremist factions active in the North East.
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