Eleven Months After, Troops arrest mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack

The Defence Headquarters said troops of Operation Whirl Punch have arrested three terrorists at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

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

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Musa Danmadami, stated this on Thursday in a statement made available to newsmen.

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He added that troops mobilised to the location on Valentine’s Day and recovered 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones, the sum of $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 Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“Subsequently, troops mobilized to the location and arrested 3 terrorists. One of the terrorists arrested was identified as one of the masterminds of the March 28, 2022, terrorist attack on the Abuja Kaduna Train Services.

“Following the operation, troops recovered 2 motorcycles, 2 mobile phones, the sum of five thousand Dollars ($5,000) as well as some other currency and other sundry items.”

“Also, on February 16, 2023, troops on fighting patrol made contact with terrorists at Ungwan Birni in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Following fire fight, troops neutralized 7 terrorists while others fled.”

Danmadami said on February 20, 2023, troops on fighting patrol to Gada Oli Village in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, recovered 2 AK 47 rifles, 4 magazines, 66 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and seven BH/ISWAP terrorist flags.