Nigerian military authorities on Tuesday announced that six Boko Haram members believed to be suicide bombers, apparently heading for an NNPC facility along Maiduguri-Damboa road have died in their IED laden vehicles.
The explosions, which took place at Mule in the outskirt of Maiduguri, also claimed the lives of 15 civilians, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said.
“A total of 15 civilians including a member of Youth Vigilante Group died while 17 others were wounded in the explosion that occurred at Mulai, near Maiduguri reported earlier today. 8 vehicles were also destroyed in the incident. Six of the terrorists died while one has been arrested,” he said.
According to him, three of the four explosive laden vehicles were demobilized by shots fired at them by soldiers at the check point shortly before the explosions that rocked the area.
He said five soldiers were wounded while the civilian casualties are yet to be determined. Meanwhile, the resolve for collaborative efforts in fighting terrorism in the sub-region got a boost recently when the Cameroon security forces made a huge seizure of arms apparently meant for use by terrorists operating in Nigeria last weekend. Over 288 rifles and 35 Rocket Propelled Guns as well as 35 locally made IEDs were recovered after a fierce encounter at Abugasse, Cameroon, close to the Chadian border.
Other weapons recovered, Olukolade said included Pistols, Mortar Bombs, Sub-machine Guns and various calibres of ammunitions following the arrest of two suspects believed to be major arms suppliers to the terrorists in Nigeria.
He said they were nabbed in Abugasse near the Chadian border with Cameroon. Also in their possession were over 50 Cameroonian Passports as well as a Toyota Jeep.
“It will be recalled that the Cameroonian authorities recently pledged to back Nigeria’s counter terrorism efforts.
“Also, the renewed offensives on terrorists by Nigerian troops have continued to record series of arrests of terrorists and recovery of arms especially close to the nation’s border with Cameroon.
“Apart from arms recovered following disclosure from captured terrorists lately, more arms have been captured in the ongoing offensive in different fronts.
“The arrest at a check point of a terrorist driving in a green Peugeot vehicle with registration Number Bauchi 264 AA heading to Maiduguri from Alagarno during the weekend, led to the recovery of 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines and various yet to be assembled rifles, the DDI stated.
The Defence spokesperson stated further that “the offensive on terrorists in various fronts is continuing. The Alagarno area as well as various points of Sambisa forest and suburbs has been witnessing intense operations since Monday.
“Apart from several dead terrorists, 14 vehicles which were either being used for operation or hidden by the terrorists in various parts of the forests and theatres have been destroyed.
“Various calibres of weapons and ammunitions were also recovered in the course of fighting and subsequent cordon and search of the areas.
“Intensive air and ground surveillance are also ongoing in the general area.”
