Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have apprehended a suspected suicide bomber and a fertiliser dealer during coordinated security operations in Bama LGA of Borno.
In a statement on Tuesday, the military identified the suspect as Abubakar Mustapha.
It said the suspect was apprehended on Sunday evening at the Banki Central Mosque following sustained joint operations and intelligence-gathering by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies.
The suspect was found in possession of primed improvised explosive device materials, adding that preliminary investigations revealed that he hails from Bama and had additional incriminating items linked to terrorist activity.
The suspect is undergoing further interrogation to determine the extent of his involvement and possible links with terrorist cells operating in the area.
The statement also revealed that troops deployed to the Cameroon–Nigeria border gate intercepted a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertiliser, a critical component used in the manufacture of IEDs.
Further investigation led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer and the recovery of an additional six bags of urea, all of which are now in military custody.
(NAN)