Troops of Sector 2 of the North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have intercepted more than 400 Starlink communication devices allegedly used by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists to coordinate criminal activities across the North-East.
The Sector Commander, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, disclosed this while briefing defence correspondents in Damaturu on Tuesday.
Martins said the communication equipment was recovered during ongoing intelligence-led strangulation operations targeting terrorist logistics and communication networks within the sector’s area of responsibility.
According to him, the Starlink terminals were seized during sustained military offensives across Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle and other terrorist hideouts in the region.
He explained that the operations formed part of broader efforts to cripple the supply and communication systems sustaining insurgent activities.
“The lifeblood of terrorist activities is logistics resupply, and we are deliberately denying them freedom to move supplies, communication equipment, fuel and other operational items across the theatre,” he said.
The commander noted that the asymmetric nature of the insurgency had allowed terrorists to depend heavily on civilian supply chains and collaborators for the movement of food items, fuel, drugs, communication gadgets and motorcycle spare parts into remote camps.
Martins alleged that some civilians were willingly collaborating with insurgents, while others were forced into assisting them through intimidation and threats.
“There is a high level of collusion between some members of the civil populace and the terrorists. Some do it willingly, while others are forced through threats and coercion,” he stated.
He further revealed that troops had infiltrated several transport and supply networks linked to insurgents through intelligence operations targeting transporters, traders and logistics syndicates operating within the region.
According to him, hundreds of logistics suppliers, couriers and collaborators connected to terrorist resupply operations had been arrested.
“It will interest you to know that arrests are made on a daily basis. So far, we have disrupted over 400 logistics-related cases and networks supporting terrorist operations,” Martins said.
He added that troops had also intercepted consignments of petrol, drugs, medical supplies, food items and motorcycle spare parts suspected to be heading to terrorist camps.
The commander said the seizures were made along major movement corridors from Kano through Nguru and other routes leading into Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle and adjoining enclaves.
Martins also disclosed that insurgents had been exploiting local livestock markets to sell rustled animals and raise operational funds.
To address the challenge, he said security agencies, local authorities and market stakeholders had introduced livestock verification measures requiring proper identification before animals could be sold.
“If animals are not properly identified, they will not be sold. Through that arrangement, we are tracking and disrupting their sources of financing,” he said.
He maintained that the ongoing strangulation operations had significantly weakened terrorist logistics networks and reduced their operational capabilities across the sector.
Martins added that sustained offensives and intelligence-driven operations had also forced several terrorists and members of their families to surrender.
According to him, the continuous military pressure had denied insurgents freedom of movement and disrupted their ability to launch attacks on communities and security formations.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the military to intensifying operations aimed at intercepting terrorist supply routes and dismantling communication networks sustaining insurgency in the North-East.
(NAN)
