By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian military has announced the interception of more than 400 Starlink communication devices allegedly linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters operating in the country’s North-East region.
The devices, believed to have been used for communication and coordination by insurgents, were recovered during ongoing military operations in Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle and other terrorist strongholds across the region.
Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brigadier General Beyidi Martins, disclosed this while briefing defence correspondents on intensified offensives aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics and communication networks.
According to him, troops have stepped up operations targeting supply routes and support systems sustaining insurgent activities in the North-East.
“The lifeblood of terrorist activities is logistics resupply, and we are deliberately denying them freedom to move supplies, communication equipment, fuel and other operational items across the theatre,” Martins said.
He explained that Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters continued to depend on civilian supply chains and collaborators for the movement of food, drugs, fuel, communication gadgets and motorcycle spare parts into remote hideouts.
The military commander alleged that while some civilians willingly support insurgents, others cooperate under threats and intimidation. “There is a high level of collusion between some members of the civil populace and the terrorists. Some do it willingly, while others are forced through threats and coercion,” he stated.
Martins further revealed that troops had infiltrated several transport and logistics networks allegedly used by terrorists through coordinated intelligence-led operations targeting transporters, traders and supply syndicates across the region.
He said security operatives had arrested hundreds of suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers linked to terrorist resupply operations.
“It will interest you to know that arrests are made on a daily basis. So far, we have disrupted over 400 logistics-related cases and networks supporting terrorist operations,” he added.
The commander also disclosed that troops intercepted consignments of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), medical supplies, drugs, food items and spare parts believed to be destined for terrorist camps.
According to him, many of the seizures were made along key supply corridors stretching from Kano through Nguru and other routes leading into Sambisa Forest and the Timbuktu Triangle.
Martins accused insurgents of exploiting livestock markets to dispose of rustled animals and generate funds for their operations.
To tackle the trend, he said security agencies, local authorities and market stakeholders had introduced livestock verification measures requiring proof of ownership before animals can be sold.
“If animals are not properly identified, they will not be sold. Through that arrangement, we are tracking and disrupting their sources of financing,” he said.
The military maintained that sustained offensives and pressure on insurgent logistics networks had significantly weakened the operational capacity of Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in the North-East.
Martins added that continued military pressure had also forced several insurgents and members of their families to surrender, stressing that troops remained committed to intercepting terrorist supply routes, dismantling communication systems and restricting insurgents’ freedom of movement across the region.
