65-year-old woman arrested as troops intercept Boko Haram drug supply route

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, have arrested a 65-year-old woman, Hauwa Abulazeez, over her alleged involvement in supplying illicit drugs to Boko Haram terrorists operating in parts of Borno State.

The arrest was carried out on January 23, 2026, in Askira Uba Local Government Area, following credible intelligence, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba.

The military said the suspect was identified as one of the suppliers of cannabis sativa to Boko Haram elements active in Askira Uba and surrounding communities, including Rumirgo, Gwahi, Wamdiyo, Uvu and Gaya. She was described as a key conduit in the distribution of the substance across several communities within the theatre of operations.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly sourced the illicit drugs from Sarti Baruwa Local Government Area of Taraba State and transported them through established supply routes for onward distribution to terrorist elements.

During the operation, conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, troops recovered 14 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa with an estimated total weight of about 30 kilograms. The military said the seizure represented a significant interception aimed at disrupting illicit activities that fuel insurgency.

The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing preliminary investigation, while follow-up operations are ongoing to identify and dismantle the wider network involved in the trafficking and distribution of the drugs.

According to the military, the interception underscores the importance of denying illicit supply chains that sustain violence, criminality and instability.

Operation HADIN KAI reaffirmed its commitment to sustained intelligence-driven operations to eliminate all forms of criminality and ensure lasting peace and stability across the North-East.