Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected suicide bomber and the intercepted materials believed to be intended for the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
The suspect, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, was apprehended on Monday by personnel of the 152 Task Force Battalion, working in collaboration with other security agencies, at Banki town in Bama Local Government Area of the state.
Sani Uba, Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North-East, in a statement on Tuesday, said the suspect was intercepted while in possession of primed IED components, suggesting preparations for an imminent attack.
Read also: Troops foil terrorist incursion, kill commander in Borno
According to military, preliminary investigations revealed that Mustapha is an indigene of Bama Local Government Area and was later found to be in possession of additional incriminating items linked to terrorist activities.
“The suspect is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators and possible links with terrorist networks operating within the area,” it said.
In a related operation, troops deployed along the Cameroon–Nigeria border intercepted a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertiliser, a substance commonly used as a precursor in the production of IEDs.
“Further intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer involved and the recovery of an additional six bags, bringing the total number of seized fertiliser bags to twelve.
“The vehicle and the fertiliser had been taken into military custody, adding that all suspects and recovered items remain under investigation ahead of necessary legal action”, the statement read.
Reaffirming the military’s resolve to secure the North-East, he said troops would continue to sustain pressure on terrorist groups operating in the region.
“Troops of JTF North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, continue to dominate 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,” it stated.
