Abuja: Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have foiled a cross-border fuel smuggling attempt. They apprehended 16 suspected terrorists in ongoing offensive operations across the North-East theatre.
The Nigerian Army revealed this in its operational report on Monday. The report indicated that, acting on intelligence, troops of 3 Battalion (Mechanised) intercepted 19 jerrycans of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and two carts.
The incident occurred in Gamboru/Ngala Ngala Local Government Area of Borno near the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
Raiding the suspected smuggling routes in the area, the troops forced the suspects to flee and abandon the products.
“In another development, troops intercepted 16 suspects along the Biu–Buratai–Kamuya road in Biu Local Government Area.
“Although the suspects claimed to be members of hybrid forces, a search was conducted. It led to the recovery of ammunition, magazines, improvised explosive device (IED) materials, military kits, and multiple mobile phones,” it said.
The report added that troops also recovered a motorcycle after terrorists had previously carted it away during an attack in neighbouring Yobe.
According to the report, troops responding to terrorists’ movement in Chibok Local Government Area engaged insurgents in a brief firefight, forcing them to retreat.
It said that troops had continued aggressive offensive operations under Operation Desert Sanity V. They are conducting sustained patrols and clearance missions across Sectors 3 and 4 to deny terrorists freedom of movement.
According to the report, the operations aim to disrupt terrorist logistics and dismantle criminal networks. They also seek to sustain pressure on insurgent elements in the region.
