Troops Foil B’Haram IED Plot in Borno, Nab 2 Suspected Kidnappers in Kaduna
Nigerian troops have thwarted an alleged attempt by Boko Haram insurgents to plant improvised explosive devices (IEDs) along the Maiduguri-Damboa highway in Borno State, while troops conducting a separate operation in Kaduna State arrested two suspected kidnappers.
The incidents occurred on Friday as security forces sustained operations against insurgents and criminal elements across the two states.
In Borno, troops reportedly acted on intelligence indicating that suspected Boko Haram insurgents were attempting to plant explosives along the Maiduguri-Damboa highway near Dalwa village.
The operation triggered an exchange of gunfire and mortar fire, with explosions and sporadic shooting heard from about 8 p.m. in communities along the southern axis of Maiduguri towards Damboa.
A source within the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), who spoke on condition of anonymity, said troops detected the insurgents while they were allegedly attempting to lay the explosives and engaged them with mortar fire.
“The soldiers fired mortar rounds to disperse them, but the insurgents responded with sporadic gunfire before they were eventually dispersed,” the source said.
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The insurgents reportedly fled the area following the engagement, while troops continued efforts to track them.
Calm was said to have returned to the affected areas after the encounter.
The incident occurred hours after a separate attack in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State, where at least 15 farmers were reportedly killed.
The Maiduguri-Damboa highway is a major route connecting Maiduguri with communities in southern Borno, making any attempt to plant roadside explosives a significant threat to commuters and residents.
Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) arrested two suspected kidnappers at Makasa village in Sanga Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as 35-year-old Muhammadu Nura and 45-year-old Monday Danjuma, were arrested at about 2:15 p.m. on Friday by troops of Sector 7, Sub-Sector 71, Sanga.
Security sources said the arrests formed part of ongoing operations aimed at disrupting kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area.
The suspects were taken into custody and are undergoing investigation to establish their possible links to kidnapping activities and other crimes in the area.
The operations underscore the continued efforts by security forces to disrupt insurgent and criminal networks, protect critical routes and improve security across affected communities.
By PRNigeria
