Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested 12 suspected collaborators and logistics suppliers linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, during an intelligence-led operation in Damasak, Borno state.

The army announced this in a military operational report released in Abuja on Monday.

The army said the operation followed actionable intelligence obtained from the interrogation of an earlier suspect arrested at the Kadauri cattle market in Damasak.

It said the suspect allegedly identified meeting points and hideouts used by terrorist collaborators, logistics suppliers and informants operating within the area.

According to the report, troops subsequently conducted coordinated cordon-and-search operations at multiple locations, leading to the arrest of the 12 suspects.

“Items recovered during the operation included four mobile phones comprising three Tecno devices, one Itel phone, one Infinix smartphone and N7,360 cash.

“The suspects are undergoing preliminary processing before transfer to the Joint Intelligence Fusion Centre in Maiduguri for further investigation and profiling,” the army said.

The military described the operation as a breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist support structures and disrupt logistics networks sustaining insurgent activities.

It said troops would sustain intelligence-led operations to identify and apprehend other collaborators linked to the network.

The Kano State Police Command has impounded 72 vehicles for violating number plate regulations as part of a statewide enforcement exercise tagged “Operation Clean Plates.”

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, announced this on Monday during a press briefing in Kano.

Bakori said the operation was launched after the command observed a growing number of vehicles moving around the state with covered number plates, defaced registration numbers, or no registration at all.

According to him, such violations pose serious security risks, as criminals often use unidentifiable vehicles to carry out offences and evade arrest.

“The primary responsibility of the Police is the protection of lives and property and the maintenance of law and order,” the commissioner said.

“In recent times, the Kano State Police Command has observed an alarming increase in the number of vehicles plying our roads with covered number plates, defaced registration numbers, or no registration at all.”

He added, “This is not a minor traffic offence. It is a deliberate attempt to create anonymity. Criminals use such vehicles to commit crimes and escape detection. We cannot and will not allow Kano State to be used as a safe haven for such activities.”

Bakori said that before the enforcement began, the command carried out extensive public awareness campaigns across the state to educate motorists on the need to properly register their vehicles and display standard number plates.

He explained that the sensitisation campaign was conducted through radio and television stations, social media platforms, and live phone-in programmes.

“We reminded vehicle owners of their responsibility to ensure proper registration and clear display of number plates. We gave ample notice so that no one can claim ignorance,” he said.

The commissioner said “Operation Clean Plates” is being implemented across all 44 local government areas of Kano State.

“So far, we have intercepted 72 motor vehicles in violation. They have been impounded and the drivers will face prosecution,” Bakori disclosed.

He further revealed that police also intercepted three other vehicles under suspicious circumstances.

“Three motor vehicles with their occupants were intercepted under suspicious circumstances. During preliminary interrogation, the occupants failed to provide satisfactory accounts regarding the ownership and purpose of the vehicles. The suspects and the vehicles are currently being processed for further investigation. We will ensure that the law takes its full course,” he said.

Bakori assured residents that the operation is aimed at improving public safety, not harassing motorists.

“Let me assure the good people of Kano State that this exercise is not about harassment. It is about safety. It is about ensuring that every vehicle on our roads can be identified and traced,” he said.

He urged all vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are properly registered and fitted with standard number plates that are clearly visible.

The police commissioner also appealed to residents to cooperate with officers carrying out the operation and avoid actions that could disrupt public order.

At the same time, he encouraged members of the public to report any misconduct by police personnel to the command’s Complaint Response Unit, assuring that the command would not tolerate indiscipline.

Bakori reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, stating that the operation would continue until full compliance is achieved.

At least 15 people lost their lives, while 17 others were seriously injured in a fatal lone trailer crash along the Ogbomoso-Oloru highway at Oko-Olowo axis in Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State.

The fatal crash occurred at about 2:32 a.m. on Monday near the Muslim Cemetery in Oko-Olowo and involved a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL 274 XC, driven by one Nasiru Muhammed.

Situation report released by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kwara Sector Command, indicated that a total of 48 male occupants were involved in the accident. 

While 15 died on the spot, 17 sustained injuries ranging from fractures, dislocations and bruises, while 16 others escaped unhurt.

The FRSC blamed the crash on driver fatigue, noting that emergency responders arrived at the scene within five minutes of receiving the distress call.

The injured victims were evacuated to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were handed over to their families and the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko-Olowo for burial.

A statement in Ilorin on Monday by Taofeek Sanusi, added that rescue operations were jointly carried out by personnel of the FRSC Oloru Unit Command and the Oko-Olowo outpost, with efforts continuing to search for more victims believed to be trapped beneath the trailer’s load.

The state Sector Commander, Kabiru Babatunde Kazeem, was at the crash scene to coordinate rescue and recovery operations.

Speaking on measures to prevent similar tragedies, the sector commander, said the command would intensify public enlightenment campaigns through town hall meetings involving critical stakeholders.

He advised motorists to avoid mixed loading and night travelling, stressing that fatigue remains one of the leading causes of fatal road crashes.