Tuesday, May 12, 2026 - Troops of Sector 2, North East Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have intercepted more than 400 Starlink communication devices allegedly used by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists to perpetrate crime in the region.
The Sector’s Commander, Beyidi Martins, a brigadier general,
disclosed this while briefing defence correspondents in Damaturu on Tuesday,
May 12, 2026.
He said the internet service equipments were seized
during the ongoing strangulation and intelligence-driven operations aimed at
dismantling terrorist logistics and communication networks within the sector’s
area of responsibility.
Martins said the recovered Starlink terminals were
intercepted during sustained operations across Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu
Triangle and other terrorist enclaves in the North-east.
According to him, the seizures formed part of broader efforts
by troops to disrupt the logistics lifelines sustaining terrorist activities in
the region.
"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 explained that the asymmetric nature of the
insurgency had enabled terrorists to rely heavily on civilian supply chains and
collaborators for movement of food, fuel, drugs, communication gadgets and
motorcycle spare parts into remote hideouts.
He acknowledged that some members of the civilian population
were voluntarily collaborating with terrorists, while others acted under
coercion and intimidation.
“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,” Mr Martins stated.
He said that troops had successfully infiltrated several
transport and logistics networks used by insurgents through intelligence
operations targeting transporters, traders and supply syndicates operating
across the region.
According to him, troops have arrested hundreds of logistics
suppliers, couriers and collaborators linked to terrorist resupply operations.
“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,” he said.
The commander added that troops had intercepted consignments
of petrol, drugs, medical supplies, food items and spare parts suspected to be
destined for terrorist camps.
He noted that the seizures were made along major movement
corridors stretching from Kano through Nguru and other routes leading into the
Timbuktu Triangle, Sambisa Forest and adjoining enclaves.
Martins further revealed that local livestock markets had
also been exploited by insurgents to dispose of rustled animals and generate
operational funds.
To counter the trend, he said security forces, local
authorities and market stakeholders had introduced livestock verification
measures requiring proper identification of ownership 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.
The commander stated that the ongoing strangulation
operations had significantly weakened terrorist logistics chains and reduced
their operational flexibility across the sector.
He also disclosed that sustained military offensives and
intelligence-driven operations had led to the surrender of several terrorists
and members of their families within the area of responsibility.
According to him, continuous pressure from troops had denied
insurgents freedom of movement and disrupted their ability to sustain attacks
on communities and security formations.
Mr Martins reaffirmed the commitment of the command to
intensifying offensive operations, intercepting terrorist supply routes and
dismantling communication networks sustaining insurgent activities in the
North-east.
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