Troops of Sector 2, Operation Hadin Kai, have disrupted an attempt by suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters to collect illegal levies from communities in Yobe State.

Acting Military Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force North East, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operation followed intelligence on the movement of two Volkswagen Golf vehicles and motorcycles believed to be carrying the suspects. Troops from the Forward Operating Base Bukarti, working with the 27 Task Force Brigade, launched a fighting patrol along the Paya Kafiya axis on July 19.

Captain Goni said the troops engaged the suspects during the operation, immobilising one of the Volkswagen Golf vehicles. He said the driver was killed, while four other suspected fighters fled into nearby bushes with gunshot wounds after abandoning the vehicle.

Follow-up operations on July 20 along the Paya Kafiya–Garin Gada axis led to the recovery of the abandoned vehicle, 25 rounds of belted PKT ammunition, one loaded AK-47 magazine, 15 empty PKT ammunition cases, assorted drugs, including paracetamol and nicotine products, and mechanical tools believed to have supported the group's logistics.

Captain Goni said Operation Hadin Kai will continue intelligence-led operations, in collaboration with other security agencies, to sustain pressure on terrorist groups and improve security across the North East.