Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected terrorist informant during an intelligence-led operation in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, security analyst Zagazola Makama confirmed.
The suspect, identified as Alhaji Sule Bako, was apprehended in Dzangola Kilba following credible intelligence linking him to alleged information-sharing activities for terrorist elements operating in the area. Soldiers from the 232 Battalion (Tactical) conducted the operation under Operation Desert Sanity V, a component of the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the North-East.
Military sources said the arrest occurred without incident. The suspect is now in military custody undergoing preliminary interrogation and further investigation to determine the extent of his alleged involvement with terrorist networks.
Makama, who disclosed the development in a statement posted on X, noted that the operation forms part of sustained intelligence-driven efforts by Operation Hadin Kai to dismantle terrorist support structures across the North-East theatre. These networks include informants, logistics suppliers and collaborators who enable insurgent activities.
“The military has continued to intensify offensive and intelligence operations to disrupt insurgent activities and deny terrorist groups access to local support structures in the region,” Makama said.
Security analysts say such operations reflect a strategic shift toward targeting the logistical and intelligence chains that sustain insurgency, rather than focusing solely on combat engagements. By removing informants and supply facilitators, forces aim to degrade the operational capacity of terrorist groups embedded in local communities.
The arrest comes amid renewed military pressure on insurgent factions across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. Recent weeks have seen multiple interceptions of weapons caches and the rescue of civilians held in terrorist enclaves, according to official briefings.
Residents in Hong and surrounding communities have been urged to continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements. Military commanders emphasize that community-sourced intelligence remains critical to sustaining gains in the region.
Operation Hadin Kai, the joint task force coordinating counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East, has maintained operational tempo since its restructuring in 2021. Its current phase, Operation Desert Sanity V, prioritizes intelligence-led strikes and the disruption of terrorist financing and communication networks.
Further updates on the suspect’s interrogation and any resulting operations are expected in the coming days.