Troops of Sector 2, Operation HADIN KAI, have intercepted and recovered more than 400 Starlink satellite communication terminals allegedly used by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists in the North-East.
Brigadier General Beyidi Martins, the Commander of Sector 2, disclosed this while briefing defence correspondents on the ongoing intelligence-driven offensive aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics and communication networks.
He said the Starlink devices were recovered from the terrorists during sustained clearance operations in the Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, and other terrorist strongholds across the theatre.
“We are deliberately targeting the lifeblood of terrorist activities — their logistics resupply.
“We are denying them the freedom to move supplies, communication equipment, fuel, and other operational items,” Martins said.
The commander noted that the asymmetric nature of the insurgency has forced terrorists to depend heavily on civilian supply chains and collaborators.
He stated that food, fuel, drugs, medical supplies, motorcycle spare parts, and communication gadgets are regularly ferried into remote hideouts with the help of their collaborators.
“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 added.
Martins further revealed that the insurgents have also been exploiting local livestock markets to sell rustled animals and raise funds for operations.
He added that, in response, security forces, local authorities, and market stakeholders have introduced strict livestock verification measures.
“If animals are not properly identified, they will not be sold. Through that arrangement, we are tracking and disrupting their sources of financing,” the Commander said.
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