By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Army says two commanders of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), including a suspected Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) specialist, have surrendered to troops of Operation HADIN KAI in Yobe.
This is contained in an operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
The report stated that the two terrorists, identified as Ismail Mohammed and Abu Umar, surrendered to troops of the 159 Battalion in Geidam on June 8.
According to the report, Ismail Mohammed was one of the commanders under a terrorist leader known as Baa Shuwa and possessed detailed knowledge of the group’s activities.
It added that Abu Umar was an ISWAP engineer and specialist in vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices.
The report said the suspect was believed to possess detailed knowledge of locations where such explosive devices were produced and stored within ISWAP camps.
It stated that both suspects were currently in military custody for further investigation.
The report further revealed that troops also apprehended two suspected terrorist informants in separate operations in Borno.
It stated that combined troops of the 19 Battalion, 25 Brigade Garrison and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force apprehended a suspected informant in Damboa town on June 9.
According to the report, the suspect was arrested while purchasing farm items and mosquito nets allegedly meant for terrorists operating within Damboa Local Government Area.
The report said the suspect confessed during preliminary investigation to supplying logistics and providing information to terrorist elements.
It added that the suspect was currently in the custody of Headquarters 25 Brigade for further investigation.
“Similarly, troops of the 162 Amphibious Battalion arrested another suspected terrorist informant on the same day.
“The suspect was apprehended at about 7:00 p.m. and remained in military custody pending further action.
“Meanwhile, troops also foiled an attempted terrorist attack on a military location after sighting suspected terrorists approaching the area on June 9.
“Troops responded with fire missions aimed at neutralising the terrorists and denying them freedom of action within the area of operation,” it said.
The report stated that troops conducted exploitation of the area on June 10 and discovered the corpses of two terrorists as well as a motorcycle.
It added that preliminary assessment indicated the bodies were already decomposing, suggesting that the terrorists had been neutralised during an earlier encounter with troops in Buni Yadi.
According to the report, troops searched the area but did not recover any additional items. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)