Borno: Troops arrest 65-year-old woman over ‘cannabis supply to Boko Haram’

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), have arrested a 65-year-old woman over alleged involvement in the supply of cannabis sativa to Boko Haram insurgents in parts of Borno State.

The arrest was disclosed in a press release signed by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, and made available to journalists in Maiduguri on Sunday.

According to the statement, the suspect, identified as Hauwa Abulazeez, was arrested on January 23, 2026, in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, following actionable intelligence.

“Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a 65-year-old female suspect in Askira Uba LGA for alleged involvement in the supply of cannabis sativa to Boko Haram terrorist elements,” the statement said.

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Lieutenant Colonel Uba explained that the suspect was allegedly supplying the illicit substance to insurgents operating in Askira Uba, Rumirgo, Gwahi, Wamdiyo, Uvu and Gaya communities, serving as a distribution link within the area of operations.

He added that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly sourced the cannabis sativa from Sarti Baruwa Local Government Area of Taraba State and transported it through established routes for onward distribution.

During the operation, the statement said troops recovered 14 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa, with an estimated total weight of about 30 kilogrammes, describing the interception as part of efforts under Operation Desert Sanity V to disrupt criminal supply networks.

“The suspect is currently in custody undergoing preliminary investigation, while follow-up actions are ongoing to identify and dismantle other individuals involved in the trafficking and distribution network,” the statement noted.

The military said disrupting illicit supply chains remains a key component of broader efforts to address insecurity and criminal activity in the North East.

Operation Hadin Kai reaffirmed its commitment to sustained, intelligence-driven operations aimed at improving security conditions and denying criminal networks the resources required to operate across the region.