By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested 10 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Yobe and recovered motorcycles, fuel, fertiliser and cash during a security operation in Bursari Local Government Area (LGA).

An operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja said the suspects were apprehended at about 6;30 p.m., on October 18 at Bayamari village.

The report said the exercise was conducted by troops of 233 Battalion, in conjunction with 27 Task Force Brigade and local hunters during an operation to disrupt terrorist supply networks.

It said the troops recovered four motorcycles, 11 bags of NPK fertiliser, 12 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), each containing 25 litres, and one 25-litre jerrycan of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

Other items recovered according to the report, include two mini-drums containing 30 litres of PMS, nine mobile phones, N351,700 and 5,800 CFA francs.

The report said the suspects and recovered items had been taken into custody for further investigation and necessary action.

The report also said that troops of 27 Brigade Garrison Patrol received a surrendered Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) member on Oct. 18.

It said that preliminary investigations indicated that the individual, who hailed from Maringa village in Biu LGA of Borno, joined the terrorist group in 2024 as a foot soldier through a WhatsApp recruitment group known as “ZANGI”.

According to the report, the surrendered member identified a recruiter he described as the group’s head of marketing at BUK Camp in the Timbuktu Triangle, as being responsible for his recruitment.

“He also reportedly admitted involvement in several terrorist operations in Benisheikh, Maringa and Mandaragirau communities in Borno.”

The report said that the recruiter used social media platforms, including WhatsApp and X, formerly Twitter, to recruit and initiate unsuspecting individuals into the group.

It said the surrendered member remains in custody for further investigation.

The report further said that troops of Sector 1, Joint Task Force, North East, Operation HADIN KAI, intercepted 18 internally displaced persons (IDPs) around Kashomri Forest in Bama Local Government Area of Borno.

According to the report, the interception occurred at about 11;20 p.m., on October 17, when troops of 21 Special Armoured Brigade at Forward Operating Base Kawuri encountered the group.

It said that preliminary investigations revealed that the individuals had left the Konduga IDP camp to search for baobab leaves and fruits around Kashomri but lost their way while returning to the camp.

The report said they were subsequently handed over to the camp chairman and community leaders, known as Bulamas, to facilitate their reunion with their families.

It further revealed that troops of the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE, arrested four suspects over an alleged attempt to engage in illegal oil activities in Rivers.

It said that the suspects comprised three men apprehended at Go Round Farm in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and a woman arrested at her residence in Okwuzi in the same area.

“The three men were allegedly preparing to vandalise a pipeline to facilitate illegal oil activities when troops of CIB VIII apprehended them at about 7;20 a.m. on Sunday.

“The troops recovered a generator, two rolls of electrical wire and other working tools.

“The female suspect was alleged to have engaged the services of the arrested men for the illegal operation.

“All the suspects are still in the military custody for further investigation and necessary action,” it said. (NAN)