Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded another breakthrough in ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria’s North-East with the arrest of three suspected collaborators linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State, amid intensified efforts to dismantle logistical and support networks sustaining insurgent activities in the Lake Chad region.
Security sources confirmed that the suspects were arrested on April 13, 2026, during a coordinated intelligence-driven operation carried out by operatives of Sector 3 under the Military Intelligence Brigade, in conjunction with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), a community-based security group that supports military operations in hard-to-reach and vulnerable communities.
The operation was executed in the Abari general area of Monguno following sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering that reportedly indicated suspicious movements of individuals suspected of providing logistical support to insurgent groups operating across the Lake Chad Basin. Military sources said the arrest was part of a wider strategy to disrupt non-combat structures that enable terrorist operations beyond direct battlefield engagements.
The suspects were identified as Falmata Abukar, aged 43; Halima Audu, aged 35; and Mairo Abba, aged 17. According to security sources, the individuals were intercepted while allegedly attempting to move from Abari to Mararaba village in Kukawa Local Government Area, a route believed to be used intermittently for covert movement of supplies and communication between remote settlements and insurgent-held enclaves.
Preliminary military assessments suggest that the suspects may have been involved in transporting or facilitating the movement of items intended for use by insurgent groups in forested and lake-adjacent hideouts. Investigators are currently examining whether the arrested individuals acted independently or as part of a coordinated supply chain linked to established terrorist cells operating in the region.
Items recovered during the operation include 12 pairs of materials suspected to be intended for the production or use of terrorist uniforms, 176 bottles of herbicide, 22 wrappers, 24 assorted children’s clothing items, a mosquito net, a sleeping mat, and a cash sum of N15,500. While some of the recovered items appear civilian in nature, security officials note that insurgent groups in the region have previously been known to exploit everyday goods for concealment, survival, and operational logistics in remote environments.
Military sources explained that herbicides and other agricultural chemicals recovered from suspects are often subject to scrutiny due to their potential use in clearing vegetation around hideouts or creating open pathways in forested terrain. Similarly, clothing and household items may be used by insurgents to blend into civilian populations or sustain long-term presence in isolated settlements.
The suspects are currently in military custody, where they are undergoing preliminary interrogation and profiling. Security officials say the objective of the ongoing investigation is to establish the extent of their involvement in insurgent logistics, identify possible communication networks, and determine whether additional collaborators or supply routes exist within surrounding communities or across neighbouring local government areas.
Operation Hadin Kai, the Nigerian military’s flagship counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East, has in recent months intensified both kinetic and intelligence-led operations targeting not only armed fighters but also individuals and networks believed to provide indirect support to insurgent groups. These efforts include increased collaboration with local vigilante groups such as the Civilian Joint Task Force, enhanced surveillance operations, and targeted raids on suspected supply corridors.
Security analysts note that the Lake Chad Basin remains one of the most complex theatres of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts due to its difficult terrain, fragmented island communities, and porous borders that allow for the movement of people and materials between Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon. These conditions have historically enabled insurgent groups to adapt and maintain resilience despite sustained military pressure.
Military authorities have reiterated that cutting off logistical support systems remains a critical component of their operational strategy, as insurgent groups increasingly rely on civilian disguise, informal trade routes, and local intermediaries to sustain their activities in remote areas.
They further emphasised that intelligence-driven arrests such as the latest operation in Monguno are aimed at weakening the broader ecosystem that supports insurgency, rather than focusing solely on direct armed confrontation.
Residents of affected communities have been urged to remain vigilant and to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist in identifying suspicious movements or potential collaborators within their environment.
Authorities also assured the public that operations in Monguno and surrounding areas will continue, with increased patrols, surveillance, and clearance missions designed to prevent regrouping or infiltration by insurgent elements.
As investigations continue, the Nigerian military says further updates will be provided once the interrogation process is concluded and the full extent of the suspects’ involvement in insurgent logistics networks is established.
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