Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have arrested 18 suspected terrorist logistics suppliers in Borno State.

The suspects were intercepted on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, while traveling toward the Gubio and Gudumbali axis, a known Boko Haram enclave, to deliver goods.

This is contained in a daily operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

The military said the suspects were intercepted while travelling towards the location to deliver the goods to the terrorists.

According to the report, preliminary investigation revealed that all 18 suspects confessed to engaging in the supply of goods to the terrorist group.

“They admitted that they routinely purchase and convey items to the terrorists.

“Their justification was lack of employment, which points to a deeper socio-economic challenge in Maiduguri and its environs,” the army said.

The development, according to the reportt, validates recent remarks by the Chief of Defence Staff on the link between economic hardship and the sustenance of insurgency logistics networks.

“The arrest highlights the critical role of civilian collaborators in sustaining terrorist operations, particularly in remote areas such as Gubio and Gudumbali,” it added.

The army called for a comprehensive approach combining military operations with economic empowerment and job creation to address the root causes of insurgency in the region.

The Presidency has advised Senator Ali Ndume to share any actionable intelligence regarding terrorist activities directly with security agencies rather than broadcasting it on national television.

The response, issued through presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, addressed claims made by Ndume ( about insurgent tactics, including the use of commercial tricycles to transport explosives and the role of local informants.

This follows recent comments by the Borno South lawmaker, who spoke on rising insecurity and alleged the presence of informants aiding terrorist groups within communities.

Responding on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said intelligence of that nature should not be shared on television.

According to him, such disclosures could undermine ongoing security operations if not properly handled.

Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, later confirmed to POLITICS NIGERIA on Wednesday, Onanuga stressed that any credible information should be taken straight to security agencies.

“If Senator Ndume has credible intelligence about terrorist informants or their mode of operation beyond what is already known to security agencies, the appropriate step is to share this with the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Security Adviser, or relevant intelligence bodies, not to discuss it on television,” Onanuga stated.

He explained that intelligence gathering and response depend heavily on confidentiality. Public discussions, he warned, may expose strategies or alert criminal elements.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Ndume had earlier appeared on Channels Television, where he described how insurgents allegedly operate within local communities.

He claimed they rely on informants and use everyday means to carry out attacks.

“What they do is hit and run. They gather, share information among themselves, and most dangerously, they get information from some citizens, too. They have informants within society,” the senator had stated.

Ndume also expressed frustration with the current state of security, raising concerns about the welfare and preparedness of security personnel.

“The government, I must say, are not walking the talk. Security agencies and soldiers still do not have the training, equipment, ammunition, and motivation they need,” he said.

However, the Presidency disagreed with that position. Onanuga defended the administration’s efforts, saying significant investments have been made to strengthen the military.

He pointed out that President Bola Tinubu recently approved additional logistics and operational support for troops. This, he said, was done during a high-level security meeting held shortly before the recent attacks in Maiduguri.

“The President has demonstrated commitment by approving the highest budgetary allocation to defence in the 2026 Appropriation Bill, securing military equipment from France and the United Kingdom, and directing security chiefs to relocate to Maiduguri,” Onanuga stated.

He added that while political leaders are free to speak on national issues, there is a need for caution when such statements touch on security operations.

The exchange comes as military operations intensify in Borno State following the March 16 suicide bombings in Maiduguri, which left 23 people dead and over 100 injured.

President Tinubu had earlier ordered top security officials to move to the state to coordinate a stronger response. Troops under Operation Hadin Kai have since increased surveillance and counter-insurgency efforts across affected areas.

Ndume, whose constituency remains one of the worst hit by insurgency, has consistently called for stronger action. He has also questioned intelligence lapses, asking why terrorists who openly share content online cannot be easily tracked.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday has forcefully taken possession of the Abuja residence of the former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, and evicted his family, despite ongoing court proceedings over the property.

Malami disclosed this while addressing journalists at a press conference, stating that EFCC officials stormed the premises on Monday and returned on Tuesday with armed personnel to complete the takeover.

“Yesterday, without further recourse to the court, without seeking an order to seal my properties, without seeking an order to evict my family members and me from the property, without seeking a court order for the appointment of a receiver manager, the EFCC came to effect a forceful eviction.

“They were unable to conclude the process yesterday and reinforced this morning with a lot of personnel that are armed and indeed forcefully took over possession of my family residence,” he said.

The former AGF identified the property as his family home located at No. 2, Koronakh Close, off Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

He explained that the action followed an interim forfeiture order granted on January 6, 2026, but insisted that the order did not authorise eviction or immediate takeover of the property.

“The most interesting part of the order was that there was no clear directive or instruction… that the premises would be taken over forthwith or perhaps is being sold, or perhaps evicting the occupants,” he said.

Malami noted that he had already challenged the forfeiture order before the Federal High Court, with the case adjourned till April 20, 2026.

According to him, with both parties already before the court, the EFCC ought to have exercised restraint rather than taking unilateral enforcement steps.

“It is only natural, logical and judicial that no party is expected to overreach by taking unilateral steps that would place a court in a situation of purposelessness,” he stated.

He faulted the commission for allegedly bypassing due process, stressing that enforcement of court orders was the responsibility of judicial authorities, not litigants.

“Execution of court orders and processes is an exclusive function of court bailiffs and sheriffs… and is not in any way the prerogative of a party to the litigation,” he said.

Malami described the eviction and takeover as unlawful and outside established legal procedure.

“What happened by way of forceful eviction of my family members and forceful takeover of my properties is legally and judicially unprecedented in the Nigerian legal system,” he added.

He further alleged that the EFCC neither obtained a specific eviction order nor involved court officials before carrying out the action.

The former minister also hinted at possible political undertones, noting that the incident occurred shortly after his release from detention and during a period of increased political visits and support.

“The fact that these things happen at a time when I was receiving tremendous goodwill messages… can certainly be a basis for people to insinuate perhaps political persecution,” he said.

However, he declined to directly describe the action as a vendetta, citing the pending nature of the case.

Malami said he would pursue legal remedies to challenge the EFCC’s action.

“For me, the steps are legal, legitimate and judicial, and we will certainly embark on the judicial process to do the needful,” he added.

Efforts to reach his lawyer on the asset forfeiture case, J.B Daudu, to confirm the sealing of the properties and next legal steps were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, as he did not respond to repeated calls from our correspondent.

The PUNCH had reported that earlier on Tuesday, the anti-corruption agency moved to take over the Maitama residence of the former AGF.

The operatives, reportedly led by Folarin Dare, arrived in about five buses, heavily armed and dressed in their red and black jackets, as they barricaded the road leading to Malami’s residence.