Soldiers detain Abuja-Kuduna train attack mastermind

At the Damba hamlet in Kaduna State’s Chikun Local Government Area, three terrorists were reportedly detained by troops, according to the Defence Headquarters.

One of the terrorists detained confessed to being one of the planners of the March 28, 2022, Abuja-Kaduna train attack, according to the military high command.

This was revealed on Thursday in a statement provided to our correspondent by Major General Musa Danmadami, Director of Defence Media Operations.

He claimed that troops were dispatched to the area on Valentine’s Day and found two motorcycles, two mobile phones, $5,000, and other currencies.

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

“Thereafter, troops moved to the area and detained 3 terrorists. One of the terrorists detained was recognised as one of the organisers of the terrorist assault on the Abuja Kaduna Railway Services on March 28, 2022.

After the operation, the military retrieved two motorcycles, two cellphones, $5,000 in cash, as well as some additional cash and many other stuff.

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Also, on February 16, 2023, soldiers on a fighting patrol came into contact with terrorists in Ungwan Birni in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Seven terrorists were neutralised after a firefight by the military while others fled.

On February 20, 2023, according to Danmadami, troops on a fighting patrol to Gada Oli Village in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State found two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 66 rounds of special 7.62 mm ammunition, and seven BH/ISWAP terrorist flags.

He claimed that troops in the North West Zone found 10 AK-47 rifles, 83 7.62 NATO rounds, 238 7.62 special rounds, 2 locally made rifles, 1 locally made pistol, 7 magazines, 19 motorcycles, mobile phones, 30 cattle that had been rustled, and other random items. He also said that troops neutralised 23 terrorists, detained 9, and freed 23 kidnapped civilians.

Punch