In a sweeping military operation across Nigeria, troops from different sectors of the Armed Forces have arrested several individuals suspected of aiding terrorism and insurgency. Among them are two officials of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Borno State, accused of acting as middlemen in a suspected terrorist-linked courier system.
The two men, Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed, were arrested in the Liya area of Biu Local Government while allegedly receiving a waybill from a truck driver—an act that matched earlier intelligence reports. The arrest, conducted by troops under Operation Hadin Kai, raised serious concerns about how deeply insurgency networks may have infiltrated everyday civilian institutions like transport unions.
At a press briefing in Abuja, Major General Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, revealed more from the week’s coordinated efforts. “These arrests are part of ongoing efforts to dismantle insurgent logistics chains and collaborators within civilian communities,” he explained.
The military’s sweep was not limited to the North. In the Southeast, under Operation Udo Ka, troops arrested a man accused of collecting illegal taxes for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). The arrest was made in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State. With the suspect, the soldiers recovered a staggering ₦1.5 million—allegedly extorted from locals under duress.
“This man was acting on behalf of IPOB/ESN to exploit innocent citizens,” Kangye said. “We’re not just fighting insurgents with guns—we’re also fighting their funding mechanisms.”
Elsewhere in Yobe State, the military apprehended a logistics supplier identified as Shaibu Bulama at Damasak Motor Park, along with 11 other collaborators. Meanwhile, seven kidnapped victims were successfully rescued during operations in the Northeast theatre.
Kangye also disclosed that a number of weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered and safely neutralized. In one particularly heart-wrenching detail, he mentioned that 16 family members of terrorists—four women and twelve children—had surrendered to the troops in Bama LGA, Borno State. “Preliminary reports suggest they came from Bakura Jega village,” he said.
These operations highlight a disturbing trend—insurgency operations are not just run from the forests or remote hideouts. From road union officials in Borno to tax collectors in Anambra, collaborators exist within the fabric of society. But even more telling is the human toll—innocent people caught in the crosshairs, communities burdened by illegal levies, and children growing up under the shadow of violence.
The Nigerian military has assured the public that more operations are underway to clean out these covert support networks. But for now, families like those in Biu, Ihiala, and Bama are left to reckon with the ripple effects—some sighing in relief, others still searching for peace.
