Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have apprehended a 65-year-old woman, Hauwa Abulazeez, for her alleged role in supplying illicit drugs to Boko Haram insurgents operating in parts of the North-East.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt-Col Sanni Uba.
He said the suspect was taken into custody on January 23, 2026, in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, following intelligence-led operations.
According to the military, Abulazeez is suspected to be a major supplier of cannabis sativa to terrorist elements active in Askira Uba and surrounding areas, including Rumirgo, Gwahi, Wamdiyo, Uvu and Gaya.
She was also described as a critical link in the distribution of the substance across multiple communities within the operational theatre.
Lt-Col Uba said preliminary findings revealed that the suspect allegedly sourced the drugs from Sarti Baruwa Local Government Area of Taraba State before transporting them through established supply routes for onward distribution to insurgents and criminal networks.
During the operation, troops reportedly recovered 14 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa with an estimated total weight of about 30 kilograms.
The military said the seizure represented a significant disruption of supplies meant to support terrorist and criminal activities in the region.
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The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing preliminary investigation, while follow-up operations are ongoing to track down other members of the alleged trafficking and distribution network.
The Army noted that the arrest highlights the importance of cutting off illicit supply chains that fuel insecurity and violence in the North-East.
It added that sustained intelligence-driven operations remain central to efforts aimed at restoring peace, strengthening lawful authority and ensuring long-term stability across the region.
Lt-Col Uba reaffirmed the military’s commitment to intensifying pressure on criminal and terrorist networks, stressing that troops would continue operations until enduring peace and security are achieved.