- Safiu Kehinde
A suspected suicide bomber and an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials dealer have been apprehended in Borno State by troops attached to the Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE) and Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).
The arrests followed sustained joint operations and credible intelligence gathering aimed at securing Banki town in Bama Local Government Area, conducted by troops of 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies.
As disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the taskforce’s Media Information Officer, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha was arrested around 5:40pm on Monday by personnel deployed at the Banki Central Mosque.
The suspect was found in possession of primed IED components, indicating imminent intent to carry out an attack.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities.
He is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators, and possible links with terrorist networks operating within the area.
On the other hand, troops deployed at the Cameroon–Nigeria border gate intercepted a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertiliser, a critical precursor material commonly used in the production of IEDs.
Both the vehicle and the fertiliser were immediately taken into military custody.
Further exploitation of intelligence arising from the interception led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer, as well as the recovery of an additional six bags of urea fertiliser, bringing the total seized to twelve bags.
The Joint Taskforce disclosed that all suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and necessary legal action.
The troops reiterated their commitment to ensuring dominance of their areas of responsibility through aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations, and sustained presence, in order to deny JAS/ISWAP terrorists freedom of action and prevent attacks on civilian populations and critical infrastructure.
They reassured the general public of the military’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urges citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in support of ongoing counter-terrorism operations.