Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested 18 individuals suspected of supplying logistics to Boko Haram in Borno State, as part of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
The suspects were reportedly intercepted while travelling towards Gubio, with plans to continue to the Gudumbali axis, areas identified as strongholds of the insurgent group.
According to an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, the suspects were apprehended while transporting items believed to be intended for the terrorists.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly admitted to routinely purchasing and delivering supplies to insurgents operating in the region.
They reportedly cited unemployment and economic hardship as reasons for their involvement, highlighting underlying socio-economic challenges in affected communities, particularly around Maiduguri.
The military noted that the arrests underscore the significant role civilian collaborators play in sustaining insurgent activities, especially in remote locations such as Gubio and Gudumbali.
It added that the development aligns with recent observations by defence authorities linking economic difficulties to the persistence of terrorist support networks.
While reaffirming its commitment to tackling insurgency through sustained military operations, the army emphasised the need for a more comprehensive approach.
According to the report, addressing the root causes of insurgency will require a combination of security measures, economic empowerment initiatives, and job creation programmes to reduce the vulnerability of individuals to recruitment or collaboration with terrorist groups.
The latest arrests are seen as part of intensified efforts to dismantle the supply chains that sustain insurgent operations in Nigeria’s North-East region.
