Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have intercepted more than 400 Starlink communication devices allegedly used by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists across the North-East, the Commander of Sector 2, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins, has disclosed.
Martins revealed this while briefing defence correspondents on ongoing military offensives and intelligence-driven operations targeting terrorist logistics and communication networks within the theatre.
According to him, the Starlink terminals linked to Elon Musk’s satellite internet service were recovered during sustained military operations across Sambisa Forest, the Timbuktu Triangle, and other insurgent enclaves.
The commander said the seizures formed part of broader strangulation operations aimed at cutting off terrorist supply routes and weakening their operational capabilities.
“The lifeblood of terrorist activities is logistics resupply, and we are deliberately denying them freedom to move supplies, communication equipment, fuel and other operational items across the theatre,” Martins said.
He explained that insurgents had relied heavily on civilian supply chains and collaborators to transport food, fuel, drugs, communication gadgets, and motorcycle spare parts into remote hideouts.
Martins also alleged that some civilians willingly collaborated with terrorists, while others acted under threats and intimidation.
“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 coercion,” he stated.
The commander disclosed that troops had infiltrated several transport and logistics networks used by insurgents and arrested hundreds of suppliers, couriers, and collaborators linked to terrorist operations.
“It will interest you to know that arrests are made daily. So far, we have disrupted over 400 logistics-related cases and networks supporting terrorist activities,” he added.
He further revealed that troops intercepted consignments of petrol, drugs, medical supplies, food items, and spare parts suspected to be heading to terrorist camps through routes stretching from Kano to Nguru and into Sambisa Forest and the Timbuktu Triangle.
Martins said terrorists were also exploiting livestock markets to sell rustled animals and generate operational funds.
To counter the trend, he noted that security agencies and market stakeholders had introduced livestock verification measures to track ownership and prevent illegal sales.
“If animals are not properly identified, they will not be sold. Through that arrangement, we are disrupting their sources of financing,” he said.
The sector commander maintained that sustained military pressure had significantly weakened terrorist logistics chains, restricted insurgents’ freedom of movement, and forced several fighters and their families to surrender.
He reaffirmed the commitment of troops to intensifying operations aimed at dismantling terrorist communication systems and cutting off all supply networks sustaining insurgency in the North-East.
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