Troops arrest ‘Jos, Zaria bomber’

The defence headquarters has announced the arrest of a suspected mastermind of the recent bomb attacks in Jos, Zaria (pictured) and other parts of the north-east.

The suspect was said to be arrested at a military checkpoint in Gombe state.

“Troops have arrested a mastermind of the Jos and Zaria bombings at a checkpoint in Gombe following an operation by combined team of military and DSS operatives.” read a tweet on the official handle of the armed forces.

Speaking with TheCable, an official of the DSS who participated in the operation, gave the identity of the suspect as Usman Shuaibu alias Money.

He said the suspect is the commandant of the sect in the north-east.

“We tracked him along with four people in Yamatu in Jeba local government area of Gombe around 11:15 this morning,” he said.

“He masterminded the bombings in Potiskum, Maiduguri, Jos, Zaria. The vehicle, which they have been using for operations in all those places, was also found.”

The incidents in Jos happened late Sunday and 44 persons were killed, while 47 people sustained injuries.

In Kaduna, 26 persons, including a two-year-old, died at the venue of biometric registration of civil servants.

Sani Usman, spokesman of the army, provided additional information on the operation that led to the arrest of the suspect.

“Please recall that on Sunday 5th July 2015, suspected Boko Haram terrorists carried out coordinated bomb and gun attacks on worshippers at Ýan Taya mosque, Dillimi Street, off Bauchi Road, Jos where the holy month of Ramadan tafsir was holding, and Shagalinku Restaurant, along Bauchi Road, Jos, Plateau State, which led to death of over 48 persons, injuring several other persons and destruction of property,” he said.

“Similarly, the terrorists carried out another bomb attack on hapless workers undergoing verification exercise at Sabon Gari Local Government Secretariat, Zaria Kaduna State, which resulted in the death of over 25 people, including a two-year-old child and destruction of property.

“Consequently, security cordon was established in the general areas especially along Bauchi, Gombe and the north-eastern part of the country by troops of 3 division and special task force, as well as the department of state services. This culminated in the successful arrest of the mastermind of the heinous terrorist acts and two of his accomplices at a checkpoint in Gombe state. The terrorist kingpin and his colleagues, who disguised in a trailer while trying to evade checks, were fished out by troops of Nigerian army.

“The arrested terrorists are currently being processed for further action and will soon face the full wrath of the law. The general public is hereby please requested to be more vigilant, security conscious and report any suspicious persons, movements, and facilities to the security agencies.”