Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have apprehended a 65-year-old woman, Hauwa Abdulazeez, for allegedly supplying illicit substances to Boko Haram insurgents in the North-East region of Nigeria. The arrest was confirmed by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt-Col Sanni Uba, on Sunday.
According to Lt-Col Uba, the suspect was arrested in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State following credible intelligence. Abdulazeez is suspected to be a major supplier of cannabis sativa to terrorist elements operating in several communities, including Askira Uba, Rumirgo, Gwahi, Wamdiyo, Uvu, and Gaya. She is also believed to be a key link in the distribution chain of the illicit substance within the operational theatre.
The arrest was carried out under Operation Desert Sanity V, which aims to dismantle terrorist logistics and support networks in the region. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect sourced the drugs from Sarti Baruwa Local Government Area of Taraba State and transported them through established supply routes for onward distribution to terrorist groups.
During the operation, 14 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes, were recovered. The suspect is currently in military custody, and further investigations are ongoing to identify and dismantle other members of the trafficking and distribution network.
The interception of the illicit substance highlights the critical role of disrupting supply chains that sustain terrorism, criminality, and instability in the North-East region. The Army has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained, intelligence-driven operations aimed at eliminating criminal networks and restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.
The North-East region has been plagued by Boko Haram’s insurgency for over a decade, resulting in significant humanitarian and economic losses. The military’s efforts to disrupt the group’s logistics and support networks are crucial in the fight against terrorism. The arrest of Abdulazeez and the seizure of the illicit substance are significant steps towards dismantling the terrorist group’s operations and restoring stability in the region.
