Troops under Operation Hadin Kai have disrupted a suspected terrorist gathering and apprehended five individuals allegedly involved in arms smuggling during separate operations in Yobe State.
According to security sources, the first incident took place around 6:21 pm on February 17 after intelligence reports indicated that insurgents were assembling in large numbers on motorcycles in Mangari, located about 10.6 kilometres from the 135 Special Forces Battalion base in Buratai. Buratai is a community in Borno State.
Troops reportedly responded by launching a fire mission on the identified location, prompting the suspected terrorists to flee and abandon their plans.
“The insurgents were seen massing on motorcycles before troops engaged them. The swift response disrupted their movement and compelled them to disperse,” a security source said.
In a separate development, personnel from the Forward Operating Base Potiskum intercepted five suspected arms traffickers and kidnappers at about 4:30 am on February 18 at a checkpoint along the Gombe–Potiskum road.
Security sources said one of the suspects, 41-year-old Baba Abare, was allegedly found with an AK-47 rifle at the time of his arrest.
The other suspects were identified as Idris Zakari, 33; Nasiru Aliyu, 25; Abdullahi Sulaiman, 35; and Mohammed Idris, 34. All are said to be natives of Potiskum town.
Authorities confirmed that the suspects are in custody pending further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other potential collaborators and dismantle any linked criminal networks.
