Troops Arrest Chadian Woman Allegedly Supplying Terrorists With Drugs, Alcohol in Borno

The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a 48-year-old Chadian woman accused of transporting illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages, and other prohibited items allegedly destined for terrorist groups operating in the Lake Chad Islands.

The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Mohammed Goni.

According to the statement, the suspect was apprehended on Thursday, July 9, during a routine search operation conducted by troops along the Maiduguri–Monguno Road in Borno State.

Goni said soldiers intercepted a suspicious vehicle travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area, where the woman was found in possession of the prohibited items.

The suspect was identified as Mrs. Rachael Samuel, a 48-year-old Chadian national from Kelo in the Chari-Baguirmi Province of the Republic of Chad.

According to the military, preliminary investigations suggest that the items were being transported to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area where terrorist groups are known to operate.

The statement said troops recovered seven compressed bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa weighing about 30 kilograms, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, commonly referred to as “Suck and Die,” one carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin, and 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages.

Military authorities added that the seized items are estimated to be worth millions of naira.

Other items recovered from the suspect include a mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, cash, and other personal belongings.

The Nigerian Army said the suspect remains in military custody while investigations continue.

According to the statement, both the suspect and the recovered exhibits will be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to disrupting supply networks supporting terrorist activities in the North-East and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies to strengthen ongoing counterterrorism operations.