Borno: Chadian Woman Apprehended with Terrorist-Destined Contraband

The Nigerian Army has announced that its personnel successfully apprehended a Chadian woman who was conveying illegal narcotics, alcoholic drinks, and other banned items intended for terrorist groups operating within the Lake Chad Islands region.

According to a press release issued on Friday, July 10, by Mohammed Goni, the acting military information officer for the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation Hadin Kai, the individual was taken into custody on Thursday, July 9. This occurred during a thorough search exercise conducted on the Maiduguri–Monguno road, located in Borno State.

Goni further elaborated that military personnel stopped a suspicious vehicle that was heading in the direction of Kwatan Doron Baga, within Kukawa Local Government Area of the state.

The statement confirmed, “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.”

Initial investigations suggest that these seized substances were en route to various points within the Lake Chad Islands, a territory notorious for housing terrorist factions.

Among the articles confiscated from the suspect were seven compacted bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa, weighing roughly 30 kilograms, along with two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, commonly referred to as ‘Suck and Die.’ Also found were one carton containing 48 bottles of dry gin and 61 bottles of herbal alcoholic beverages. The combined street value of these items is estimated to be in the millions of Naira.

Furthermore, the authorities also recovered one mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, personal belongings, and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Goni concluded by stating that Mrs. Samuel is presently being held in military custody, and the seized items are secured. They await transfer to the relevant law enforcement agency for thorough investigation and subsequent legal proceedings.