Army Reveals How Civilians, Cattle Markets Fuel Boko Haram Operations In North-East Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria– The Nigerian Army has revealed how some civilians, transport networks and cattle markets in the North-East have continued to aid the operations of Boko Haram terrorists through the supply of food, logistics materials, communication devices and the sale of rustled animals.

The military also disclosed that troops had recovered and intercepted more than 400 Starlink satellite communication devices allegedly linked to terrorist activities within the theatre of operation.

The Commander of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, Brigadier General Beyidi Martins, made the revelations during an interview while speaking on the ongoing counterterrorism operations in the North-East region.

According to the senior military officer, the activities of Boko Haram and other terrorist groups have continued to thrive partly because of collaboration between terrorists and some members of the civilian population.

Martins said some residents assist the terrorists willingly, while others do so under threats and coercion from the insurgents.

He explained that the difficult terrain and asymmetric nature of the conflict had made it easier for terrorists to blend with local populations and move logistics supplies across communities without immediate detection.

Speaking during the interview, the commander said, “I’m going to talk about the terrorist activities, basically, due to the logistics risk of life they are able to get throughout the area we are currently trying to deny them.

“This movement is made easy because of the asymmetric nature of the environment where the populace is closely interacting with the terrorists, thereby helping to resupply the terrorists with ease.

“And because of the asymmetric nature, as I’ve mentioned earlier, it is very easy for logistics items, well, food and other important spare parts, especially for motorcycles and other vehicles used by terrorists, to be resupplied to them through the civil populace.”

The army commander further alleged that there exists “a high level of collusion” between some civilians and insurgent groups operating in the region.

“And you must also accept the fact that there is some high level of collusion between the civil populace and the terrorists, some willingly, some unwillingly, due to coercion,” Martins said.

“And this has continued to fuel the activities of these terrorists.”

He disclosed that the military had intensified intelligence gathering and infiltration of transport and business networks operating within insurgency-prone areas in a bid to track supplies and identify collaborators aiding the terrorists.

According to him, several arrests are now being made daily as security operatives continue to clamp down on logistics suppliers and suspected collaborators.

“We have succeeded in infiltrating, through the use of the transport networks, the various associations of people that are doing business within the area, and we’re able to track,” he stated.

“And it will interest you to note that a lot of arrests have been made on a daily basis.”

Martins specifically revealed that the military had intercepted hundreds of Starlink satellite internet devices allegedly being used by insurgents to maintain communication within difficult terrains.

“For example, the terrorists used the Starlink satellite network, and I think so far within the sector we’ve arrested over 400 pieces of Starlink, over 400 pieces,” he said.

“And that has helped to deny them the ability to be able to get connection easily.”

The commander added that troops had also intercepted several logistics supplies and operational equipment allegedly being transported through major routes linking parts of northern Nigeria to terrorist hideouts.

According to him, some of the identified supply routes stretch from Kano through Nguru to Bukarti, extending to Geidam and parts of the Gujba forest.

“Apart from so many other logistics items and equipment that will be intercepted, running across the route from Kano through Nguru to Bukarti, down to Geidam, and then into some parts of the Gujba forest, as well as the ones that I was talking to you about, that are intercepted within our local markets, even down to Damaturu here, a lot of arrests are made on a daily basis,” he added.

The military commander also accused cattle markets in parts of the North-East of serving as outlets for the sale of livestock rustled by terrorists during attacks on rural communities.

He explained that security agencies were now working with state governments and market stakeholders to identify and track livestock before they are sold.

“The various cattle markets also serve as points where some of the animals that are rustled by these terrorists are sold,” Martins said.

“If these animals are not properly identified through the network we have created between us and the Borno State Government and Yobe State, the animals will not be sold.”

He added that authorities had introduced measures requiring verification and proper identification of livestock owners before animals could be traded within the markets.

“So an animal to be sold must be properly identified to the owner,” he stated.