INSURGENCY: Troops Arrest Boko Haram Kingpin; destroy IED’S, Rocket making factory in Bama.

INSURGENCY: Troops Arrest Boko Haram Kingpin; destroy IED’S, Rocket making factory in Bama.

In its determination to ensure that Boko Haram terrorism is brought to an end in the country by December this year, the Nigerian Army said yesterday that its troops on Sunday arrested a wanted terrorist kingpin in Kasuwar Shanu, in Maiduguri metropolis.

The arrest occurred even as troops of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army, while on offensive operations on Boko Haram terrorists’ location, with the support from the Nigerian Airforce discovered and destroyed the terrorists’ Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and Rocket making factory along Bama-Gonin Kurmi, Borno State.

A statement to this effect signed by Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman said, “Troops of 7 Division Garrison Nigerian Army in Operation LAFIYA DOLE, yesterday made a remarkable progress by arresting a Boko Haram Terrorist kingpin, Mr John Trankil, at Kasuwar Shanu in Maiduguri metropolis.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect and 8 others sneaked into the Maiduguri armed with AK 47 assault rifle each and a Hilux vehicle laden with 20 Improvised Explosive Devices meant to be detonated at some selected targets in the city.

It said the, “The Theatre Commander operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General Yusha’u Mahmood Abubakar, commended the efforts of the troops and renewed the call for the troops and the public to be more vigilant and security conscious particularly at all check points, markets, worship centers, motor parks and schools.

“In a related development, troops of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army, while on offensive operations on Boko Haram terrorists location, with the support from the Nigerian Airforce discovered and destroyed the terrorists’ Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and Rocket making factory along Bama-Gonin Kurmi within the outskirts of Bama town, Borno State.

“Items recovered include gas cylinders, welding machine, pipes and poles. Others include locally made rocket shells, large quantity of assorted chemicals, unprimed IEDs and various technical and laboratory equipment suspected to be stolen from schools’ laboratories around Bama before they were dislodged from the area.”

END.