Troops of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, have arrested a suspected suicide bomber and intercepted materials used for making improvised explosive devices in Borno State.
The arrest followed intelligence-led operations by troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in Banki town, Bama Local Government Area, according to a statement on Tuesday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba.
Uba said the suspect, Abubakar Mustapha, was apprehended at about 5:40pm on Monday at the Banki Central Mosque while in possession of primed IED components.
“He was found with materials already primed, indicating an imminent attempt to carry out an attack,” the statement said.
The military spokesman added that preliminary investigations showed that the suspect is from Bama Local Government Area and is currently being interrogated to uncover his sponsors and possible links with terrorist networks.
In a related operation, Uba said troops at the Cameroon–Nigeria border intercepted a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertiliser, a substance commonly used in making IEDs.
“Further intelligence exploitation led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer and the recovery of six additional bags, bringing the total seized to 12,” he said.
Uba said all suspects and recovered items are in military custody, adding that troops would continue aggressive patrols and intelligence-driven operations to deny terrorists freedom of action and protect civilians.
