Troops of the 5 Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested 12 suspected collaborators, logistics suppliers and spies working for Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a series of intelligence-led operations in Damasak, Borno State.
The operation, led by the Acting Commander of 5 Brigade, Col. S.O. Bello, was carried out in the early hours of July 2, 2026, following actionable intelligence obtained from the interrogation of an earlier suspect, Mustapha Goni Ahmed, who was arrested at the Kadauri Cattle Market in Damasak.
According to security sources, Ahmed allegedly confessed during interrogation and identified several meeting points and hideouts used by suspected terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers and informants operating within the brigade’s area of responsibility.
Acting on the intelligence, troops conducted coordinated cordon-and-search operations at multiple locations, leading to the arrest of 12 additional suspects believed to be members of the terrorists’ support network.
The suspects were identified as Alhaji Dala Kawomi, 45; Bulama Mallum Kyari, 38; Shatamari Gabo Kyari, 30; Tujja Saloma, 20; Massa Mairami, 70; Bulama Chari Fannai, 36; Mustapha Mohammed, 28; Bukar Bulama, 23; Bunu Madu, 25; Awari Baba Goni, 23; Hassan Madu, 34; and Chellu Malari, 60.
Items recovered during the operation included three Tecno mobile phones, one Itel mobile phone, one Infinix smartphone and ₦7,360 in cash.
The sources said the suspects are undergoing preliminary processing before being transferred to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC) in Maiduguri for detailed investigation, profiling and further action.
Military sources described the operation as a significant breakthrough in ongoing counter-intelligence efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist support structures and disrupting the logistics and intelligence networks that sustain insurgent activities in the Lake Chad region.
They added that efforts to identify and apprehend additional collaborators linked to the network are ongoing.
