The troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) have foiled coordinated terrorist plans and apprehended two suspected terrorists in separate operations in Taraba State.
A statement on Thursday by the acting assistant director, Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade Nigerian Army, Captain Olubodunde Oni, said that the separate operations were conducted on Wednesday within Wukari local government area of Taraba State.
“Acting on credible intelligence, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Wukari arrested a 45-year-old suspected terrorist, Felix Myina, a native of Ukum local government area of Benue State. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is a high-ranking member of a notorious bandit and kidnapping syndicate operating under a wanted criminal kingpin identified as Mcianan, also known as Yellow.
“This group has been a major threat to motorists and residents along the Jootar–Wukari axis.
A Techno mobile phone was recovered from the suspect at the point of arrest,” he said.
In a related development, Oni said, vigilant troops responding to imminent threats of terrorist attacks within Wukari town also arrested a suspected member of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
“The suspect, identified as Abubakar Yusuf, aged 26, a native of Borno State but residing in Gassol LGA, was intercepted while performing strange rituals at the Aku-Uka Palace Junction, one of the locations identified as a likely target for ISWAP attacks. He was reportedly attempting to spiritually tie the town to facilitate access for fellow terrorists.
“Items recovered from him include 1 dead chicken, 9 unhatched rotten eggs, 1 animal horn, 1 bottle containing powdered substance, pieces of fresh meat.” Both suspects, according to the Army spokesman, are currently in the Brigade custody and are providing useful information.
