By Ono Yima
Abuja — The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has announced the arrest of two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) over their alleged involvement in delivering arms and military uniforms to terrorists in Borno State.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed the development on Thursday in Abuja during a press briefing on the Armed Forces’ ongoing counter-terrorism operations across the country.
According to Kangye, the suspects — identified as Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed — were apprehended in Liya, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State after receiving a suspicious waybill from a truck driver. Their arrest followed intelligence gathered by security forces.
“Two members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers identified as Isah Abdullahi and Abdullahi Mohammed were arrested in Liya, Biu LGA of Borno State while receiving waybill from a truck driver, which corresponded with intelligence received earlier on the said consignment,” Kangye said.
Items recovered from the suspects include 13 sets of military uniforms and high-voltage batteries believed to be intended for use by insurgents.
In a related operation, troops also arrested a 65-year-old suspected logistics supplier, Shaibu Bulama, at the Damasak Motor Park in Yobe State on July 13. Some arms and ammunition were recovered during the arrest.
Kangye also noted that the military safely detonated several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and recovered ₦17,150 in cash from the suspect.
Further highlighting gains in the fight against insurgency, Kangye revealed that 16 family members of terrorists — including four women and 12 children — surrendered to troops in Bama LGA of Borno State on July 14.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the group surrendered from Bakura Jega village,” he said.
Meanwhile, in the South East, troops arrested a suspected tax agent of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State.
The suspect was reportedly commissioned by the separatist group to collect levies from residents. Troops recovered ₦1.5 million from the agent at the time of arrest.
Major General Kangye reaffirmed the military’s commitment to rooting out all forms of terrorism and criminal collaboration across Nigeria.