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Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a 54-year-old man suspected of supplying fuel to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for Operation HADIN KAI, disclosed this in a statement, noting that troops recorded major successes under Operation Desert Sanity IV between September 19 and 24, 2025, in Borno and Adamawa States.
According to him, the suspect, identified as Thomas James, was caught on September 23 with 23 bottles of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) hidden in a bag while attempting to travel along the Maiduguri–Gamboru Ngala road.
“Troops of 112 Task Force Battalion at Forward Operating Base Ngwom arrested Thomas James (54) with 23 bottles of PMS concealed in a bag. He was attempting to board a vehicle to Gamboru Ngala from Maiduguri when intercepted. Preliminary findings link him to terrorist fuel supply lines. He has been handed over to 7 Military Intelligence Brigade for further investigation,” the statement read.
The military also highlighted other key achievements during the week:
- Fuel smuggling interceptions in Adamawa:
- On September 19, troops of 232 Battalion (Tactical) and Sector 4 Special Forces seized 7 jerricans of PMS at Vintim, Mubi South LGA.
- On September 21, nine more jerricans were seized along Fillin Ball–Gella road, Mubi South.
- On September 24, five jerricans were intercepted at Tsamiya, Mubi North.
- Fertilizer seizures in Mubi:
On September 21 and 24, troops uncovered large quantities of urea fertilizer at Mubi Central Market. Suspected suppliers fled, abandoning the products. The military said the seizures dealt a significant blow to terrorist logistics and improvised explosive device (IED) production. - Ambush near Alau Dam:
On September 22, troops of 73 Battalion (Motorised), working with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) and Hybrid Forces, ambushed suspected terrorists at Kolori Karumi, west of Alau Dam in Borno. One Boko Haram scout was neutralised in the operation. - Arrest of Boko Haram member in Garkida:
On September 24, acting on credible intelligence, troops of 232 Battalion with local hunters arrested Ahmadu Buba (31) in Garkida, Gombi LGA. Buba, from Sabon Gari Kimba in Damboa, confessed to joining Boko Haram in April 2025. He also admitted participating in the August 2025 attack on Mandaragirau Sabon Gari Kimba and the June 2025 destruction of the Mandahuma Bridge.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their resilience and successes in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations, urging them to maintain their aggressive posture and operational momentum.
