Troops arrest eight suspects for ‘supplying arms to terrorists’ in Taraba, Yobe

The Nigerian Army says its troops have arrested eight suspects for supplying arms and logistics to terrorists in Taraba and Yobe states.

In a statement on Monday, the army said the troops raided suspected terrorist gun runners’ hideouts at Mararaba Donga and Manya village in Donga and Takum LGAs of Taraba.

The army said the raid was conducted in collaboration with other security agencies on August 30.

“On 30 August 2024, troops conducted a raid on terrorist gun runners and logistic suppliers at Mararaba Donga and Manya village in Donga and Takum local government areas of Taraba state,” the statement reads.

“The operation, executed with precision, resulted in the arrest of 5 suspects.

“The troops recovered 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 fabricated rifles, 2 single-barrel guns, 2 dane guns, one rifle butt, 61 rounds of 7.62 mm (special) ammunition, and 8 live cartridges.

“Other items seized by the troops include 2 extra AK-47 rifle magazines, one pistol holster, one magazine holster, one pair of handcuffs, 3 daggers, one police helmet, one axe, one point of sale (POS) machine, and 10 mobile phones.”

The army said three Boko Haram logistic suppliers were also arrested at Jimbal village in Tarmuwa LGA of Yobe.

“During preliminary investigation, the suspects revealed that they had been in the business for more than two years, evading security checks by collaborating with some local vigilantes in the area,” the army said.

“Items recovered from the suspects include 3 vehicles, 5 motorcycles, a large quantity of motorcycle tyres, numerous spare parts, and a significant quantity of drugs.

“Troops also seized rolls of fabrics used by terrorists to sew uniforms and the sum of forty-eight thousand (N48,000.00) naira.”

In a similar operation in Kaduna, the troops apprehended four terrorists’ gun runners and logistic suppliers at Rijana village in Chikun LGA.

“Troops recovered 30 rounds of 7.62mm (special) ammunition and 3 mobile phones from the suspects,” the army added.

“The troops also found one hundred thousand (N100,000) naira worth of recharge cards and the sum of one million, five hundred and thirty-two thousand, nine hundred naira (N1,532,900.00) on the suspects.”

The troops also neutralised a notorious kidnapper terrorising commuters around the Ubia community in Esan south-east LGA of Edo state.

Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief of army staff, commended the troops for their dedication and urged them to sustain the momentum of offensives to ensure continued safety of the nation.