Crime
EXCLUSIVE: Army troops of OPHK arrest two suicide bombers in connection to Maiduguri Mosque attack
EXCLUSIVE: Army troops of OPHK arrest two suicide bombers in connection to Maiduguri Mosque attack
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have recorded a major operational success in Borno and Yobe states with the arrest of two suspected suicide bombers and the disruption of critical logistics networks sustaining Boko Haram terror activities.
One of the suspects was apprehended in Banki town during joint operations and intelligence-led patrols by troops deployed under the Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE), while the second was earlier arrested in Damaturu, Yobe State, in connection with the Dec. 24 suicide bomb attack at the Gamboru Market Mosque.
Zagazola report that the attack was part of the coordinated plans by Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), Ansaru and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) elements to execute suicide bombings and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks across parts of the North-East zone.
It was gathered that a Boko Haram team led by a notorious IED expert, Munzir Abu Ziyadah, allegedly prepared up to 10 person-borne improvised explosive device (PBIED) attacks from the Ali Ngulde camp axis.
The terrorists reportedly moved through the Ngoshe Mountains towards Gazuwa and Ngom, infiltrating several communities in Borno State ahead of planned attacks. One of the terrorists successfully detonated his explosive at Gamboru Market Mosque on Dec. 24, killing five worshippers and injuring 32 others.
Shortly after the Maiduguri bomb blast, the Theatre Commander Joint Task Force, North East Operation HADIN KAI, Maj Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, directed a shift from routine presence to hunter-killer and pre-emptive interdiction operations across the theater.
The Theatre Commander ordered an immediate reconfiguration of forces, with emphasis on intelligence-led operations, layered security around places of worship and markets, and tighter control of movement corridors within Maiduguri and adjoining frontline communities.
Zagazola reliably informed that at about 5:40 p.m. on Dec. 29, troops deployed at the Banki Central Mosque intercepted a suspected suicide bomber in possession of primed improvised explosive device (IED) materials.
The sources said that further investigation revealed additional incriminating IED materials in the suspect’s possession, while he was currently undergoing detailed interrogation.
Meanwhile, investigations into the Dec. 24 suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque in Maiduguri have also recorded fresh breakthroughs with the arrest and repatriation of another suspected suicide bomber in Yobe state.
Zagazola learnt that the suspect, identified as Ibrahim, was arrested in Damaturu by hunters’ group working in collaboration with Operation Hadin Kai and was brought back to Maiduguri on Dec. 29 for further interrogation.
The source said Ibrahim was taken to the Izala Mosque in the Tashan Joni area of Maiduguri, where he identified a spot he claimed to have dropped a bag containing an IED after he could not get close enough to detonate it. “However, the bag was not found at the indicated location,” the source said.
Further interrogation reportedly led the suspect to confess that he planted another bomb in a bag at the entrance of the Gamboru Market Mosque on Dec. 24, while his accomplice, identified as Adamu, now deceased, entered the mosque wearing a suicide vest which was detonated inside the mosque.
The suspect also disclosed that six suicide bombers were deployed to Maiduguri ahead of the attack under the coordination of a terror kingpin.
He reportedly named three of the bombers Salisu, Yusuf and Adamu as residents of Maiduguri, while the remaining three another Adamu, Yusuf and Abdullahi, allegedly came from Michika Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
However, in a related operation, troops deployed at the Cameroon–Nigeria border gate intercepted a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertilizer, identified as a key component in the manufacture of IEDs.
According to the sources, the driver and the consignment were taken into custody, while follow-up operations led to the arrest of the fertilizer dealer and recovery of an additional six bags of urea fertilizer.
The arrests and seizures illustrated the sustained intelligence-driven operations of Operation Hadin Kai, aimed at dismantling suicide bombing cells, cutting off IED supply chains and preventing further attacks on civilian and religious targets across Borno State.
EXCLUSIVE: Army troops of OPHK arrest two suicide bombers in connection to Maiduguri Mosque attack
Troops Recover 80 Rustled Cattle in Kogi, Hunt Suspects Over Killing of Two Herders
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilantes, have recovered 80 rustled cattle following an attack that claimed the lives of two herders in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on Sunday when suspected hunters from Omi/Ogar community allegedly killed the two herders and rustled about 100 cattle belonging to them.
Acting on a distress report at about 9:30 a.m., troops of the 12 Brigade deployed at the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Egbe, alongside other security agencies and vigilantes, launched an offensive operation to the affected area.
The operation led to the recovery of 80 of the stolen cattle, while efforts are ongoing to trace and recover the remaining animals.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the attack was allegedly carried out by hunters from Ogar community, reportedly led by a suspect identified simply as Mr. Sunday.
However, attempts by security operatives to arrest the suspects were unsuccessful as most of the male residents had reportedly fled the community before the arrival of the joint security team.
Security agencies have intensified efforts, in collaboration with local authorities, to apprehend those responsible for the attack and ensure they are brought to justice.
Sources said the security situation in the area has remained calm, with troops maintaining surveillance and monitoring developments to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Troops Recover 80 Rustled Cattle in Kogi, Hunt Suspects Over Killing of Two Herders
Insurance Employee Kidnapped from ECWA Staff Quarters in Jos
By Zagazola Makama
Gunmen have abducted an employee of an insurance company from the ECWA Staff Quarters in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday when unidentified armed men stormed the residential area and whisked the victim away to an unknown destination.
Following the report, troops of Sector 1 of Operation SAFE HAVEN (OPEP) were immediately deployed to the scene.
On arrival, the troops confirmed the abduction and launched a search-and-rescue operation across the general area in an effort to locate the victim and apprehend the kidnappers.
However, no contact was made with the fleeing suspects during the initial operation.
Security forces have since intensified efforts to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe rescue of the victim, while investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Insurance Employee Kidnapped from ECWA Staff Quarters in Jos
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist Informant, Recover Motorcycle, Cash in Kebbi
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested a suspected terrorist informant and logistics supplier during a routine patrol in Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Sources said that the suspect was apprehended at about 12:14 p.m. on Saturday in Kangiwa while troops of the 8 Division were conducting a patrol along the Falde–Gedere road.
The sources said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect was allegedly involved in providing information and logistics support to terrorist elements operating in the area.
Items recovered from the suspect included one motorcycle, one mobile phone and the sum of N69,000, believed to be connected with his activities.
According to the sources, the suspect has been taken into military custody for further investigation and necessary action.
The arrest, they said, forms part of ongoing efforts by security forces to dismantle terrorist support networks and disrupt the movement and logistics of criminal elements operating in parts of the North-West.
Troops Arrest Suspected Terrorist Informant, Recover Motorcycle, Cash in Kebbi
Troops Recover 80 Rustled Cattle in Kogi, Hunt Suspects Over Killing of Two Herders
Insurance Employee Kidnapped from ECWA Staff Quarters in Jos
Troops, CJTF Arrest Suspected ISWAP Informant Accused of Identifying Kidnap Targets in Borno
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