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.
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‎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.
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‎He said troops intercepted a suspicious vehicle travelling towards Kwatan Doron Baga in Kukawa LGA in the state.
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‎“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.
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‎“Preliminary findings indicate that the recovered substances were being moved to locations within the Lake Chad Islands, an area known to harbour terrorist elements.
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‎“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.
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‎“Other items recovered include, one mobile phone, two Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards, personal effects and cash.”
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‎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 prosecution.