Troops of the 5 Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested 12 suspected collaborators, logistics suppliers, and spies working for Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) during a series of intelligence-led operations in Damasak, Borno State.
Operation Details and Leadership
The operation, led by the Acting Commander of 5 Brigade, Col. S.O. Bello, was carried out in the early hours of July 2, 2026, following actionable intelligence obtained from the interrogation of an earlier suspect, Mustapha Goni Ahmed, who had been arrested at the Kadauri Cattle Market in Damasak.
According to security sources, Ahmed allegedly confessed during interrogation and identified several meeting points and hideouts used by suspected terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers, and informants operating within the brigade’s area of responsibility.
Coordinated Operations and Arrests
Acting on the information, troops launched coordinated cordon-and-search operations at multiple locations, resulting in the arrest of 12 additional suspects believed to be members of the terrorists’ support network. The arrested suspects were identified as Alhaji Dala Kawomi, 45; Bulama Mallum Kyari, 38; Shatamari Gabo Kyari, 30; Tujja Saloma, 20; Massa Mairami, 70; Bulama Chari Fannai, 36; Mustapha Mohammed, 28; Bukar Bulama, 23; Bunu Madu, 25; Awari Baba Goni, 23; Hassan Madu, 34; and Chellu Malari, 60.
Recovered Items and Next Steps
Items recovered during the operation included three Tecno mobile phones, one Itel mobile phone, one Infinix smartphone, and a total of N7,360 in cash. The sources said the suspects are currently undergoing preliminary processing before being transferred to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre (JIFC) in Maiduguri for detailed investigation, profiling, and further necessary action.
Significance of the Operation
Military sources described the operation as a significant breakthrough in ongoing counter-intelligence efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist support structures and disrupting the logistics and information networks sustaining insurgent activities in the Lake Chad region. They added that operations to identify and apprehend additional collaborators linked to the network are continuing.
