Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Ruth .J
Nigerian troops have intercepted a Chadian national suspected of transporting a large consignment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances allegedly intended for terrorist elements operating within the Lake Chad Islands.
The interception took place along the Maiduguri–Monguno axis in Borno State during an operation by troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), following credible intelligence on Friday, July 10, 2026. According to the Acting Military Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, troops arrested Mrs Rachael Samuel, 48, a Chadian national from Kelo in Chari-Baguirmi Province, Republic of Chad, after stopping a suspicious vehicle travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
The military said preliminary investigations indicated that the recovered items were allegedly being transported to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area where terrorist groups have maintained operational activities. The arrest, according to security authorities, represents another effort to disrupt the supply networks that support insurgent operations in the North East.
Items recovered from the suspect included seven compressed bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydro mercuric chloride, commonly known as “Suck and Die”, one carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin and 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages.
Security officials also recovered a mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine cards, personal belongings and cash from the suspect. The military said all recovered exhibits have been secured and will be handed over to relevant law enforcement agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai said intelligence gathered over time has shown that illicit drugs and intoxicants are sometimes used by terrorist groups to influence fighters, reduce fear and support violent operations. The military said intercepting such supplies before they reach their intended destination weakens the logistics networks that sustain terrorist activities.
The command praised the troops for their vigilance and professionalism, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the North East.
The development comes as Nigeria intensifies intelligence cooperation and multi-agency coordination in tackling kidnapping and organised crime nationwide. The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has expanded its Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell (MAAKFC) State Expansion Programme in collaboration with the United Kingdom National Crime Agency (UK-NCA).
Speaking during the inauguration of the programme and stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu said kidnapping remains one of Nigeria’s most serious security challenges, with criminal groups increasingly adopting sophisticated methods and operating across multiple jurisdictions.
Represented by the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, Ribadu said intelligence sharing and coordinated responses among security agencies remain critical to defeating criminal networks.
Major General Laka, through the Director of Intelligence, Brigadier General Peter Gbor, said the Multi-Agency Anti-Kidnap Fusion Cell has improved intelligence integration, operational coordination, geospatial analysis and information sharing among security agencies.
The programme, supported by the United Kingdom National Crime Agency, brought together representatives from security and intelligence agencies, government institutions and international partners, including officials of the British High Commission.
The NCTC said the second phase of the State Expansion Programme would strengthen communication between state-level security commands and the Fusion Cell, while improving kidnapping prevention, rescue operations and criminal investigations.
The UK National Crime Agency International Liaison Officer, Mr Matt Mountain, reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts against organised crime. He said effective responses to kidnapping often begin at the state level, where early intelligence gathering and engagement with victims’ families take place.
Mountain added that stronger cooperation between state commands and the Fusion Cell would help improve information sharing, operational coordination and efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
Authorities said the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and organised crime requires sustained collaboration between security agencies, international partners and communities as Nigeria continues efforts to improve national security.
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