Troops of Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested a suspected foreign drug courier and recovered a large cache of illicit drugs, alcoholic drinks, and other prohibited items allegedly being transported to terrorists operating around the Lake Chad Islands.
The arrest was made on Thursday, July 9, during a search operation along the Maiduguri–Monguno road. The suspect, identified as Rachael Samuel, a 48-year-old Chadian national from Kelo in Chari-Baguirmi Province, was intercepted while travelling toward Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to the acting Military Information Officer of Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, preliminary investigations suggest the recovered items were intended for terrorist camps within the Lake Chad Islands.
Items recovered include:
Seven compressed bundles of suspected cannabis sativa weighing about 30 kilograms.
Two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, commonly known as “Suck and Die.”
One carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin.
Sixty-one bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages.
One mobile phone, two ATM cards, personal belongings, and cash.
The military stated that the recovered items are worth millions of naira and that the suspect remains in military custody pending transfer to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution.
Operation HADIN KAI said the interception disrupted a key terrorist supply chain, noting that intelligence reports indicate terrorist groups often rely on illicit drugs and intoxicants to embolden fighters and facilitate violent operations.
The Theatre Command commended the troops for their vigilance and urged members of the public to continue providing credible intelligence to support ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and restore lasting peace across Nigeria’s North-East.
