GhostVariable

Borno seizures spotlight evolving smuggling networks, security implications By: Zagazola Makama The interception of large consignments of psychoactive substances and endangered wildlife species by the Borno/Yobe Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has provided fresh insight into the dynamics of illicit trade and its wider implications for security, public health and environmental sustainability in Nigeria’s North-East. The seizures, made along Kano Road in Maiduguri, are not isolated incidents but reflect a pattern of organised smuggling activities exploiting major transit corridors linking the region to other parts of the country and neighbouring states. At the centre of the latest operation is the confiscation of 180 bags of a psychoactive substance known locally as “Akuskura,” estimated at about 90,000 bottles. The scale suggests an established distribution network capable of moving large volumes undetected, raising concerns about the depth of market demand and the sophistication of supply chains. The proliferation of such substances is increasingly intersecting with broader security challenges. In conflict-affected regions like Borno, drug abuse has been linked to youth vulnerability, criminal recruitment and violent behaviour, factors that can indirectly sustain insurgency and banditry. The concealment of the substances in sacks disguised as general merchandise further points to adaptive smuggling tactics designed to evade routine checks, indicating that traffickers are continuously refining their methods in response to enforcement pressure. Equally significant is the interception of endangered wildlife species, including antelopes, civet cats, eagles and tortoises, species protected under Appendix I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The presence of such species in transit suggests that Nigeria remains part of an international illegal wildlife trade route, with traffickers targeting rare animals for commercial gain across borders. The illegal trade in wildlife has implications beyond conservation. The depletion of biodiversity weakens ecosystem resilience, while unregulated handling of wild animals increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, a concern that has gained global attention in recent years. From a policy standpoint, the dual seizures highlight the expanding mandate of the NCS beyond revenue generation to include national security and environmental protection roles. The enforcement of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, alongside international obligations, places the agency at the frontline of combating transnational crimes. The persistence of such activities pointing to a systemic challenges. These include porous borders, limited surveillance infrastructure and the economic incentives driving smuggling networks. The seizures also raise socio-economic considerations. In regions affected by poverty and displacement, illicit trade can become an alternative livelihood, complicating enforcement efforts. Addressing this dimension, requires complementary strategies such as economic empowerment, youth engagement and community-based awareness programmes. Comptroller Idris Abdullahi’s warning that narcotics and wildlife trafficking threaten national security and Nigeria’s global reputation reflects a growing recognition of the interconnected nature of these crimes.

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) sailing in the Indian Ocean in the CENTCOM area of responsibility, April 23.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has announced that the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), along with her Carrier Strike Group which all made the decision to sail around Africa from the Eastern Atlantic to avoid the Red Sea, has arrived in the Indian Ocean and is now operating within U.S. 5th Fleet Area-of-Responsibility.

Not yet confirmed but this is another video coming Osint from Iran (Not confirmed yet)

🇮🇷 BREAKING: Iran’s Mehr News Agency says air defenses have gone active in Tehran and are confronting hostile targets.

VP JD Vance and Secretary of State Rubio arrived at the White House at the same time this morning. No official statement yet on the purpose of the meeting.

In an extremely notable development, Israel’s N12 news outlet is reporting that the Iranian Speaker of the Parliament Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf has been forced to resign from the Iranian negotiating team by factions within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).

TROOPS OF OPERATION HADIN KAI DEFEAT MULTIPLE TERRORIST ATTACKS, DELIVER FOLLOW-ON PRECISION STRIKES, RESCUE CIVILIANS Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), on 22 April 2026, successfully repelled coordinated terrorist attacks at Kanama, Ngoshe, and Banki across the Theatre. The attacks, which occurred at various times during the day, were decisively defeated through the vigilant response of troops and effective fire control, with no adverse reports recorded. The failed assaults further underscore the sustained combat readiness of OPHK troops and their dominance in denying terrorists freedom of action. In continuation of offensive operations, OPHK conducted follow-on precision air interdiction missions, including a strike at about 0315 hours on 22 April 2026 at Sowolowolo in the Sambisa Forest axis. The strike, executed after target confirmation, destroyed the remaining terrorist gun trucks in the area, bringing the total number of neutralised platforms to three. Additionally, another precision strike at Kaniram in the Mallam Fatori axis targeted terrorists observed conducting burial activities following earlier OPHK strikes, resulting in the neutralisation of scores of fleeing and regrouping elements. Further demonstrating operational effectiveness, troops of Sector 1, under 26 Brigade, conducted search and rescue operations towards the Mandara Mountains, successfully rescuing 15 women and children earlier abducted by terrorists. In a desperate but ineffective response, JAS elements fired projectiles into Gwoza, causing no casualties or damage. These coordinated successes highlight OPHK’s sustained offensive pressure, effective air–land integration, and commitment to protecting civilians while dismantling terrorist capabilities. Troops will continue to maintain relentless operations to dominate the battlespace and ensure terrorists are decisively defeated across the Joint Operations Area. Military High Command commends troops for their gallantry and resilience while urging them to sustain the operational tempo. SANI UBA Lieutenant Colonel Media Information Officer Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI 22 April 2026