The Nigerian Army says its troops have intercepted a female Chadian national transporting illicit drugs, alcoholic beverages and other prohibited substances to terrorists operating in the Lake Chad Islands.
In a statement on Friday, July 10, Mohammed Goni, acting military information officer, headquarters joint task force (north-east), Operation Hadin Kai, said the suspect was arrested on Thursday, July 9, during an intensive search operation along the Maiduguri–Monguno road in Borno state.
He said troops intercepted a suspicious vehicle travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa LGA in the state.
“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,” the statement reads.
“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 include seven compressed bundles of suspected Cannabis sativa weighing approximately 30 kilogrammes, two 10-litre containers of hydromercuric chloride, popularly known as ‘Suck and Die,’ 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.
“Other items recovered include, one mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, personal effects and cash.”
Goni said the suspect is currently in military custody, while the recovered items have been secured pending handover to the appropriate law enforcement agency for further investigation and prosecutions
