The troops of Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected suicide bomber and also intercepted materials intended for the manufacture of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Borno State.
Its Media Information Officer, Lt.Col Sani Uba in a statement issued Tuesday said the arrests followed sustained joint operations and credible intelligence gathering aimed at securing Banki town in Bama Local Government Area, conducted by troops of 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies.
He added: “At about 1740 hours on Monday, 29 December 2025, personnel deployed at the Banki Central Mosque apprehended a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha.
“The suspect was found in possession of primed IED components, indicating imminent intent to carry out an attack.
“Preliminary 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 a related development, Uba noted that troops deployed at the Cameroon–Nigeria border gate intercepted a Peugeot vehicle conveying six bags of urea fertiliser, a critical precursor material commonly used in the production of IEDs.
He stressed that both the vehicle and the fertiliser were immediately taken into military custody.
Uba said further exploitation of intelligence arising from the interception led to the arrest of the fertiliser dealer, as well as the recovery of an additional six bags of urea fertiliser, bringing the total seized to twelve bags.
He noted that all suspects and recovered items are currently in custody for further investigation and necessary legal action.