By SUMAILA OGBAJE

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have apprehended a suspected suicide bomber and a fertiliser dealer during coordinated security operations in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Media Information Officer, OPHK, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, in a statement on Tuesday, identified the suspect as Abubakar Mustapha.

Uba said the suspect was apprehended on Sunday evening at the Banki Central Mosque following sustained joint operations and intelligence gathering by troops of 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies.

He said the suspect was found in possession of primed improvised explosive device (IED) materials, adding that preliminary investigations revealed that he hails from Bama and had additional incriminating items linked to terrorist activity.

According to him, the suspect is currently undergoing further interrogation to determine the extent of his involvement and possible links with terrorist cells operating in the area.

Uba 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.

According to him, 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.

He said that troops had continued to dominate their area of responsibility through aggressive patrols to deny JAS/ISWAP terrorists freedom of action. (NAN)