By Nkechi Eze
Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have recorded significant operational successes in ongoing counterterrorism operations across the North East, including the recovery of arms and ammunition, the arrest of a suspected terrorist, and the thwarting of a planned attack involving an improvised explosive device.
According to an official signed statement by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the successes were achieved under Operation DESERT SANITY/VIGILANT SIEGE as troops sustained offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks in the theatre.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba disclosed that troops averted a potential terrorist attack after discovering an improvised explosive device planted along a route behind the Internally Displaced Persons Camp near a military location in Ladari.
The statement noted that the explosive device was suspected to have been planted to target reinforcement teams and military vehicles operating in the area.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists were subsequently deployed to the scene and safely detonated the device in-situ without any casualties or damage recorded.
In another operation, troops conducting strangulation operations along the Ladari riverbanks uncovered an abandoned cache of arms and ammunition believed to belong to fleeing terrorists.
Items recovered during the operation included one Browning pistol, one locally fabricated pistol, 26 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and seven cartridges.
The statement further disclosed that troops of Sector 3, working in collaboration with operatives of the Civilian Joint Task Force, arrested a suspected terrorist identified as Umar Zacharria, aged 15, in Gubio town.
Preliminary investigations reportedly linked the suspect to terrorist activities along the Kareto axis, where motorists have recently come under attack by insurgents.
The suspect is currently in military custody undergoing further investigation.
The Joint Task Force stated that the coordinated operations reflect the sustained pressure being mounted against terrorist elements across the North East theatre in order to deny them freedom of action and disrupt their operational capabilities.
Operation HADIN KAI reassured residents of the region of the military’s unwavering commitment to sustaining ongoing offensives targeted at neutralising threats, dismantling terrorist networks, and restoring lasting peace, security, and economic stability across the North East.
The Military High Command also commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience, and dedication, urging them to sustain the current operational momentum in the overall security and economic interest of the North East region and the country at large.
