Troops nab Abuja-Kaduna train attack mastermind – DHQ

The Defence Headquarters said on Thursday that troops arrested three suspected terrorists at Damba community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Valentine’s Day.

According to the military high command, one of the arrested terrorists confessed to being one of the masterminds of the 28 March 2022, Abuja-Kaduna train attack.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami said that troops mobilised to the location and recovered two motorcycles, two mobile phones, $5,000 as well as some other currencies.

The statement partly read: “Similarly, troops of Operation Whirl Punch on February 14, 2023, responded to information on the presence of Boko Haram terrorists/Islamic State of West Africa Province kingpins at Damba community in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“Subsequently, troops mobilized to the location and arrested three terrorists. One of the terrorists arrested was identified as one of the masterminds of  the March 28, 2022, terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna”.

Also last Friday, troops on fighting patrol engaged terrorists at Ungwan Birni in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, neutralizing seven of the terrorists while the others fled.

Danmadami said that troops on fighting patrol in Gada Oli village in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State recovered two AK-47 rifles, one magazine, 66 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition, and seven BH/ISWAP terrorist flags.

He stated that troops in the North-West zone recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 238 rounds of 7.62mm special, two locally-fabricated rifles, one locally-fabricated pistol, seven magazines, 19 motorcycles, mobile phones, 30 rustled cattle, other sundry items.

He added that troops neutralised 23 terrorists and arrested nine while 23 abducted civilians were rescued.