Military busts B’Haram sleeper cell, arrests eight

Troops of the 6 Brigade, Nigerian Army and Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have busted a Boko Haram sleeper cell in Taraba State, arrested eight suspected terrorists and two high-profile kidnappers’ informants.

The acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Capt. Olubodunde Oni, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Jalingo.

Oni said the troops, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a the raid on September 29, 2024, targeting the residence of a Boko Haram leader, Tukura Abdul-Kareem, in Sunkani Ward of the Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of the state.

He said Abdul-Kareem and seven other suspects were apprehended during the operation, adding that the suspects, who reportedly travelled from different states to join the terrorist group, confessed to being members of Boko Haram.

The army spokesman said, “Investigations revealed that the suspects were planning to establish a sleeper cell in Taraba, to launch attacks usings Improvised Explosive Devices on civilians and critical infrastructure.

“Abdul-Kareem confessed to being involved in Boko Haram activities with his brother, Adamu Abdul-Kareem, who remains at large.

“The troops, duringmine operation, recovered several items from the suspects, including nine mobile phones, identification cards, and suspected controlled substances such as marijuana and other hard drugs.”

In a separate operation on September 30, 2024, soldiers stationed at Chachanji village, in the Takum Local Government Area of the state, arrested two women, Patience Tersoo and Joy Emmanuel, who were allegedly providing information to a notorious kidnapping syndicate led by a criminal known as Anyogo.

According to the statement, the women were believed to be Anyogo’s wife and sister.

The soldiers recovered a mobile phone, a motorcycle, and a calabash from the suspects.

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The statement quoted the Commander of the 6 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Kingsley Uwa, as commending the troops for their professionalism and swift action which, he said, thwarted a terror plot and ensured the safety of lives in the state.

He also praised the cooperation of Taraba residents in providing valuable intelligence, emphasising that their support was critical to maintaining peace and security in the state.

“Together, we will continue to ensure a safer and more secure Taraba and Nigeria at large,” the Brigade Commander said.