By Gloria Attah
The Nigerian Navy has arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in the Lake Chad region following a drone-assisted surveillance operation under Operation Hadin Kai.
The suspect, identified as Baba Saidu Abdullahi, was apprehended on June 1 after personnel of Naval Base Lake Chad (NBLC) tracked his movements during an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Captain A.A. Folorunsho, naval personnel deployed a tactical drone to monitor activities within the Lake Chad area of operations when they observed the suspect leaving a location where terrorist elements had earlier been sighted.
Further surveillance reportedly revealed interactions between the suspect and armed terrorists before he departed the area. The suspect was subsequently tracked in real time from the Dumba axis to the vicinity of Charlie Company, 196 Amphibious Battalion, where he was arrested.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Abdullahi frequently travelled between Dumba and Baga Town and allegedly maintained contact with terrorist elements operating within the area.
Military authorities also suspect that he was involved in providing logistical support to the terrorists through the procurement and movement of essential supplies.
A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of personal belongings and other items considered relevant to the ongoing investigation.
The Nigerian Navy said the suspect has since been handed over to the appropriate military authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
The Navy noted that the operation highlights the growing importance of intelligence gathering, surveillance technology and drone operations in strengthening counter-terrorism efforts across the Lake Chad region.
It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting joint military operations under Operation Hadin Kai and sustaining efforts aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of movement while restoring peace and security in the North-East.
The Nigerian Navy has arrested a suspected terrorist collaborator in the Lake Chad region following a drone-assisted surveillance operation under Operation Hadin Kai.
The suspect, identified as Baba Saidu Abdullahi, was apprehended on June 1 after personnel of Naval Base Lake Chad (NBLC) tracked his movements during an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) mission.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Naval Information, Captain A.A. Folorunsho, naval personnel deployed a tactical drone to monitor activities within the Lake Chad area of operations when they observed the suspect leaving a location where terrorist elements had earlier been sighted.
Further surveillance reportedly revealed interactions between the suspect and armed terrorists before he departed the area. The suspect was subsequently tracked in real time from the Dumba axis to the vicinity of Charlie Company, 196 Amphibious Battalion, where he was arrested.
Preliminary investigations indicated that Abdullahi frequently travelled between Dumba and Baga Town and allegedly maintained contact with terrorist elements operating within the area.
Military authorities also suspect that he was involved in providing logistical support to the terrorists through the procurement and movement of essential supplies.
A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of personal belongings and other items considered relevant to the ongoing investigation.
The Nigerian Navy said the suspect has since been handed over to the appropriate military authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
The Navy noted that the operation highlights the growing importance of intelligence gathering, surveillance technology and drone operations in strengthening counter-terrorism efforts across the Lake Chad region.
It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting joint military operations under Operation Hadin Kai and sustaining efforts aimed at denying terrorist groups freedom of movement while restoring peace and security in the North-East.
