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 foil attack on commuters, kill eight terrorists in Katsina
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 17 Brigade, Sector 2 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, in collaboration with hybrid forces, have foiled a planned terrorist attack on commuters along the Kakumi–Guga Road in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State, neutralising eight suspected terrorists.
Security sources disclosed that the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that armed terrorists loyal to a notorious kingpin, identified as Idi Abasu Aiki, were planning to attack motorists and other road users along the route.
According to the sources, the terrorists were sighted advancing towards the target area on five motorcycles, prompting troops and the hybrid forces to swiftly mobilise and establish a carefully coordinated ambush along their likely route.
The troops engaged the terrorists in a fierce gun battle, during which eight of the assailants were neutralised.
Following the operation, the troops conducted exploitation of the area and recovered two AK-47 rifles and five motorcycles used by the terrorists.
The sources said troops have continued to dominate the general area through aggressive patrols and surveillance operations to forestall any retaliatory attacks against nearby communities and commuters.
The successful operation is part of ongoing efforts by Operation FANSAN YAMMA to deny terrorists freedom of movement and improve security across Katsina State and the wider North-West region.
Troops foil attack on commuters, kill eight terrorists in Katsina
Troops Arrest Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Supplier with Motorcycle Tyres in Yobe
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 233 Tank Battalion, in collaboration with members of the Yobe State Hunters Group, have arrested a suspected Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) logistics supplier in Damaturu Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Zarami Ali, 27, a native of Ngirya Village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area, was arrested at about 1:30 p.m. on July 7 during an intelligence-led operation.
According to the sources, the suspect was found in possession of five motorcycle tyres, which preliminary investigation indicated were intended for delivery to Boko Haram fighters operating in Ngirya Village.
The recovered tyres and the suspect have been taken into the custody of the 233 Tank Battalion for further investigation and necessary action.
Military sources said the arrest forms part of ongoing efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to dismantle terrorist logistics networks by intercepting supplies destined for insurgent enclaves across the North-East.
They added that sustained intelligence-driven operations targeting logistics suppliers and collaborators have continued to disrupt the movement of materials essential to the operations of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
Troops Arrest Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Supplier with Motorcycle Tyres in Yobe
Troops Arrest Wanted Suspect, Recover AK-47 Rifle in Adamawa
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have arrested a wanted criminal and recovered an AK-47 rifle with ammunition during an intelligence-led operation in Adamawa State.
Sources said that the suspect, Umar Sani, 27, was apprehended by troops of the 232 Battalion (Tactical) in collaboration with local hunters in Gombi Local Government Area.
According to the sources, preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect had concealed an AK-47 rifle in his hometown of Kwashan, Toungo Local Government Area.
Acting on the information, troops deployed a patrol team to the community, where they recovered the assault rifle along with 28 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and two AK-47 magazines.
The sources said the suspect and the recovered weapon had been taken into military custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
They noted that the arrest was part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations by Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt criminal and terrorist networks operating within the North-East and adjoining areas.
Troops Arrest Wanted Suspect, Recover AK-47 Rifle in Adamawa
Troops foil attack on commuters, kill eight terrorists in Katsina
Nigerian Children in Crisis ‘Fiscally Invisible’ as New Report Exposes Funding Failure
Troops Arrest Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Supplier with Motorcycle Tyres in Yobe
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
