Troops of the 5 Brigade under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested 12 suspected Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) collaborators, logistics suppliers and informants during a series of intelligence-driven operations in Damasak, Borno State.
The coordinated raids, led by the Acting Commander of the 5 Brigade, Col. S.O. Bello, were conducted in the early hours of July 2, 2026, following actionable intelligence obtained from the interrogation of an earlier suspect, Mustapha Goni Ahmed, who was arrested at the Kadauri Cattle Market in Damasak.
Security sources said Ahmed allegedly provided valuable information during interrogation, identifying several meeting points and hideouts used by suspected terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers and spies operating within the brigade’s area of responsibility.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, troops launched coordinated cordon-and-search operations across multiple locations, leading to the arrest of 12 additional suspects believed to be part of the terrorists’ support network.
The 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.
During the operation, troops recovered three Tecno mobile phones, one Itel mobile phone, one Infinix smartphone and N7,360 in cash.
The suspects are currently undergoing preliminary processing before being transferred to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Center (JIFC) in Maiduguri for detailed investigation, profiling and further necessary action.
Military sources described the operation as a major breakthrough in ongoing counter-intelligence efforts to dismantle terrorist support networks and disrupt the logistics and intelligence channels sustaining insurgent activities across the Lake Chad region.
They added that follow-up operations are underway to identify and apprehend other suspected collaborators linked to the network.
