The suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha, of Maiduguri mosque in which five worshippers were killed and 35 others wounded has been arrested.
The spokesperson of the Joint Task Force North-East, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, who disclosed this added that materials intended for the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were also seized.
Uba said Mustapha was picked up on Monday by a team security operatives of the 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies, at Banki town in Bama Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Army spokesperson, the suspect was found in possession of primed IED components, indicating an imminent intent to carry out an attack.
Uba stated that “p isreliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities.
“He is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators, and possible links with terrorist networks operating within the area.”
In another development, soldiers deployed at the Cameroon–Nigeria border have seized a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertiliser, a critical precursor for IED production.
He said the he fertiliser dealer was also arrested and the recovery of an additional six bags, bringing the total seizure to twelve bags.
Sani added that “both the vehicle and the fertiliser were immediately taken into military custody. All suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and necessary legal action.”
