A female Chadian national has been arrested by the troops of Sector 3, Northeast Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Hadin Kai, allegedly for supplying illicit drugs and other prohibited items to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists operating on the Lake Chad Islands.
   
The military said the intercepted consignment was destined for terrorists operating within the Lake Chad region, which spans Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroun.
   
In a statement over the weekend, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Mohammed Goni, said the operation was another significant breakthrough in efforts to degrade the terrorists’ logistics networks in the North-East.
   
“Acting on intelligence, the troops intercepted a suspected foreign terrorist drug courier conveying a large consignment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances believed to be destined for terrorist elements operating within the Lake Chad Islands,” the statement read.
   
Goni said the operation was carried out during a search along the Maiduguri-Monguno highway, where troops intercepted a suspicious vehicle travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Council of Borno State.
   
According to him, the suspect, identified as Mrs Rachael Samuel, 48, from Kelo in Chari-Baguirmi Province of Chad, was arrested while transporting the prohibited items.

He added that preliminary investigations indicated that the recovered substances were being transported to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, a known stronghold of terrorist groups.
   
Items recovered included seven compressed bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa weighing about 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, popularly known as “Suck and Die,” one carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin, 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages, one mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine cards, personal effects and cash.
   
The military said the suspect remains in its custody, while the exhibits have been secured pending transfer to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution.
   
Goni stated that, by intercepting the consignment before it reached its destination, the troops had disrupted another critical component of the terrorists’ supply chain.
Photo: Seized drugs. Caption: Intercepted illicit drugs