Nigerian soldiers attached to Sector 3, Joint Task Force North East, codenamed Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested
intercepted a female Chadian illicit drug courier to terrorists operating within the Lake Chad Islands in Borno State, Nigeria.
The suspect, identified as Mrs Rachael Samuel (48), a Chadian national from Kelo in Chari-Baguirmi Province, Republic of Chad, was arrested while conveying the prohibited items while travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State.
Acting on intelligence, the troops on Thursday, 9 July 2026, troops intercepted the large consignment of illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances while conducting an intensive search operations on the Maiduguri–Monguno axis in the State.
In a statement, Captain Mohammed Goni, Acting Military Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), said the suspect is in military custody.
The statement said: “Preliminary findings indicate that the recovered substances were being moved to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area known to harbour terrorist elements.
Items recovered from the suspect includes, seven compressed bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes and two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, popularly known as “Suck and Die”.
Others are one carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin, 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages all with a market street value approximately running into millions of Naira. The consignment also includes one mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, personal effects and undisclosed cash.
The Army assured that all recovered exhibits have been secured pending handover to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecution in accordance with extant laws in Nigeria.
Available intelligence has consistently shown that illicit drugs and intoxicants are frequently used by terrorist groups to stimulate fighters, suppress fear and facilitate violent operations, according to the statement.
