The bombers detonated their explosives inside a house and near a mosque in the Mashamari area of Konduga, 35 kilometres (20 miles) southeast of the Borno State capital Maiduguri, on Sunday evening.

“Three people were killed in the two attacks and seven others were injured,” Bello Danbatta, chief security officer of the Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), told AFP.

“One of them detonated near a mosque while residents were preparing for the evening prayers and moments later the second one detonated inside a house,” said Danbatta, who was involved in evacuation of the victims.

But Ibrahim Liman, of the civilian militia force assisting the military against Boko Haram, said two more victims died on the way to the hospital in Maiduguri, raising the death toll to five.

The attack came two weeks after five militia members were killed by a male bomber who detonated explosives concealed on him at a checkpoint outside Konduga.

Boko Haram’s nine-year violence to create a hardline Islamic state has killed 20,000 people and displaced 2.6 million from their homes in Nigeria.

The violence has spilled into neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

Although the militant group has been considerably weakened in a regional fightback mustering troops from Nigeria and its neighbours, attacks persist.

The jihadists have resorted to the use of suicide bombers, mostly women and girls, targeting military checkpoints, mosques, markets, bus stations, schools and other crowded places.

On May 1 at least 86 people were killed in twin suicide blasts targeting a mosque and a nearby market in the town of Mubi in neighbouring Adamawa state.

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The arrest of Abiodun Amos, an Ijaw man from Ese Odo local government area of Ondo State, followed credible intelligence at the disposal of the Nigeria Police Force indicating that criminal militant elements are planning series of attacks on government infrastructures and facilities in Lagos state.

A statement by Don Awunah, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, stated that IGP Idris directed the use of the Technical platform of the Force to trail and arrest the militant gang before they carry out the heinous crime.

“After a painstaking surveillance and monitoring by the police (IRT) team, the principal suspect Abiodun Amos alias SENTI who is the leader of the militant gang planning to bomb the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos was arrested on 2nd of November, 2016 in a hideout at the bank of Majidun River in Ikorodu area of Lagos State and two AK 47 rifles recovered from his possession.

“The principal suspect is an Ijaw man and a native of Ese Odo LGA of Ondo State. He is an explosives expert who specializes in assembling and modifying large scale Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) for terrorist act. The suspect also volunteered confessional statement to the Police and named other members of the militant group that are still at large.

The statement further revealed that in the course of further investigation into the case, one of the suspects at large mentioned to the Police by the principal suspect as the person in possession of their explosive devices and the detonators was trailed by the Police (IRT) operatives on the 26th December, 2016 while conveying in a Toyota Camry Car, two Cartons of Galantine Dynamite Explosives and 125 detonators in the boot of the car in a location in Ikorodu area of Lagos state on his way to link up with the other members of the militant gang to blow up the 3rd mainland bridge.

“The Suspect, on sighting the Intelligence Response Team Operatives jumped out of the Car and escaped into the nearby bush. The explosive devices and the detonators were recovered by the Police IRT operatives and the Explosive Ordinance Department, and the attack that would have been a major devastating and colossus damage to Lagos state and Nigeria was averted. Further investigation is being intensified to arrest all the other members of the militant gang still at large.”

The IGP, according to the statement, however, assured all Nigerians of adequate security and commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to work assiduously to nip in the bud militancy and other forms of criminalities that can throw the country into a large scale mayhem and massive loss of lives and properties.

He urged every Nigerian to remain calm, be law abiding and see themselves as stakeholders with the Force in making the country safer.

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This is coming as the Nigerian security and intelligence agencies have made a major breakthrough in tracking the source of explosives used by the Niger Delta militants to blow up the oil pipelines and facilities with the arrest of several suspects including five security personnels.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno, made the revelation when he met with the representatives of local manufacturers of fertilisers.

Monguno warned that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate a situation where by the security and economy of the country is being threatened by “unpatriotic actions of the fertilizer companies, threatening to close them should the seemingly acts of sabotage continue.

The Security chief also read the riot act to any company or individual engaged in economic, business or commercial activities linked to the dissident groups operating within and outside the country.

He said: “I must say at this point that the good will shown by the government of this country will not be taken for granted. The fact that we are in difficult and complicated situation in terms of our economy and security, does not mean that‎ companies and individuals with vested interest will take the good will of this country for granted.

“The President came to power with specific mandate which is clear to all Nigerians and indeed the international community. We will view with very serious consequences whatever any company does to fall out of line and behave in a manner that will bring to its knee the economy of this country and indeed the security ‎of this country.”

“Like I said we will not hesitate and is an action that will be taken with immediate effect. It is also important for us to also know that the local farmer are suffering in all communities all over the country,” he stressed.

Monguno said that ONSA and “the whole intelligence community discovered that the Improvised Explosive Devices (EIDs) being employed by the terrorists for their bombing campaigns were developed mainly from certain grades of fertilisers with particular reference to some nitrate based types including Urea Nitrate (synthesized from Urea)”.

He reminded that it was the discovery that the indiscriminate importation of these urea nitrate by all and sundry resulting into lack of control and ease their availability to the terrorists, militants and other mischievous elements for use to perpetuate insecurity that necessitated Federal government to license only the two companies to operate in the country.

He also noted that ONSA and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development facilitated necessary importation of raw materials and also secured distribution networks, which is “aimed at solving the national security problem on one hand by easing control of the items and on the other hand, boosting economy by encouraging local production”.

Against this backdrop, the NSA said that the cumulative annual production of the two companies is estimated at 2.05 million metric tonnes, while Nigeria’s estimated consumption rate is 1.1 million metric tonnes, which is 53 percent of production and “opportunity to cumulatively export about 47 percent of their production”.

Monguno however, noted that ONSA “has observed with total dismay some unpatriotic act and abuse of the goodwill of government”, saying that “reports of activities of these companies have indicated that about 71 percent of the 2.05 million tonnes cumulative annual production is being exported to the detriment of our national economy”.

According to him, this has resulted in a spike in the price of urea-based fertilisers in Nigeria with obvious implications on food security in the country.

“In view of the foregoing, I wish to categorically state that Government will continue to adhere to the rule of law. However, it must be noted that rule of law is not akin to anarchy. Accordingly, this office will not hesitate to close and withdraw the operating license of any company that exports products without first meeting local consumptions.

“This office and the Ministry (of Agriculture) will work to put in place measures to access production and determine exportable quantity by the respective companies. Please note that well-being of this country is a collective responsibility of all,” he said.

In the a related development, Monguno disclosed that ONSA conducted investigation into the incessant bombing of oil facilities in the Niger Delta and discovered that commercial explosives and accessories were used for the attacks.

He said that resultant investigation and detailed audit of the records of explosives magazines and quarries in the region revealed “the diversion of about 9000kg of high explosives and 16, 420 pieces of detonators for illegal use”.

He revealed that “the actors, including the store man of a major explosives distribution company in Nigeria, an accomplice and five security operatives have been arrested and handed over to the appropriate authorities”.

“Right now investigations are being conducted and I can assure you that they are deeply culpable and the necessary action will be taken on the conclusion of these investigations,” he remarked.

The NSA however assure that the administration is committed to the wellbeing, safety and security of the Nigerian citizenry and urged members of the public and business community to do their business in accordance to laid down rules of law.

‎”Let me also reiterate that any individual or company that operations outside the confines of legitimacy or illegality will have itself to blame and we also want to add that the government of the day will not listen to any influence peddler in the society on behalf of any company that decides to sabotage national security,” he warned.

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At about 1.35 pm Friday troops of 143 Battalion arrested one Sulaiman Umaru, a suspected Boko Haram terrorists group member whose photograph is on the poster containing the photographs of the 100 Boko Haram terrorists declared wanted. He has since been moved to 28 Task Force Brigade Headquarters for further investigation.

Troops of 21 Brigade have continued with the clearance operations at Yerimari, while troops of 22 Task Force Brigade Garrison have also embarked on patrols along Dikwa–Mafa-Maiduguri road. The patrol was aimed at picketing the road to keep it safe and open.

Similarly, the same unit in conjunction with some elements of 112 Task Force Battalion conducted a fighting patrol along Dikwa-Gulumba Gana road. The team had a fierce fire fight with some Boko Haram terrorists elements in which the troops killed quite a number of the Boko Haram terrorists.

Unfortunately, while on their way back, the team ran into an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at Antul, a village south east of Dikwa, in which 7 soldiers and 4 Civilian JTF accompanying them sustained injuries. The injured soldiers and their civilian counterparts have been evacuated to 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services Maiduguri.

However, the patrol killed 2 Boko Haram terrorists and recovered 2 AK-47 rifles from them.

The patrol team had earlier intercepted 31 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), including women and children coming from Sunabaya, Gumule, Garno and Mane-Gana villages.

During preliminary investigations along with the vigilantes, one of the IDPs, Abacha Bulama, a native of Mane-Gana village, was found to be in possession of the sum of One Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,900,000.00k).

Although he claimed to be a businessman, his possession of such large amount of money arose suspicion.

While Bulama has been detained for further investigation, other IDPs have been handed over to Dikwa IDP Camp Manager for screening and further humanitarian assistance.

On their part, troops of 254 Task Force Battalion, 25 Task Force Brigade have moved to Ngalimeri and shelled Boko Haram terrorists hideouts at Budumairi, Goneri Baleni, Mallam Maitari, Malemiri and Gombori. Although there were no signs of the Boko Haram in the area as they have all fled, however, 35 persons were rescued, screened and rehabilitated at Damboa IDP camp. The troops also arrested 2 suspected Boko Haram terrorists with Dane Guns.

In a related development, troops of 192 Battalion, 26 Task Force Brigade also carried out clearance operations at Guduf Buba, Yagwa, Gamude, Kwatara Kasa and Kwatara Tsakiya villages. It was observed that at Kwatara Tsakiya, the terrorists have neatly removed the roofing of the dispensary and other buildings possibly to cart away later.

Apart of the formations and units mentioned above, quite a number of them have maintained blocking positions to prevent Boko Haram terrorists escaping from Operation CRACKDOWN and aerial bombardment by the Nigerian Air Force, while other troops carry out raids, cordon and searches in suspected Boko Haram terrorists hideouts.

Due to increased security, the theatre is witnessing increased humanitarian activities by various government and non-governmental agencies.

Meanwhile, the troops came under Boko Haram terrorists attack inside Sambisa forest while on harbour for refitting at about 1.45 am Saturday.

However, a statement by Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, said the gallant troops successfully repelled the attack and further followed up with mopping up operations of the general area before advancing.

They also recovered two corpses of the attackers and two AK-47 rifles, two Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, five rifle magazines, mortar bombs and a belts of Machine Gun rounds.

Unfortunately five soldiers were wounded in action (WIA), as a result of mortar fired into the harbour area by the Boko Haram terrorists. The wounded soldiers have been evacuated to the rear for treatment.

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Aderemi Opadokun the Commissioner of Police stated while speaking with newsmen in Maiduguri, that “There was an explosion in Gubio about 85 Km to Maiduguri at about 0550 hours on Wednesday when four suspected suicide bombers in military uniform infiltrated Gubio town in Gubio Local Government Area ( LGA).

“Two of the suspected bombers were said to have detonated Improvised Explosive Devised (IEDs) strapped on their bodies in two near empty mosques killing themselves and three locals.”

Opadokun said the other two suicide bombers were killed by troops while they were trying to reach a military location in Sabongari Damboa.

He said security agents had visited the scenes and normalcy had been restored.

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Modu and his team were arrested when an advancing troops along Banki axis cleared two terrorists camps and rescued 241 women and children.

Modu was said to have led troops to where the fleeing Boko Haram terrorists buried AK-47 rifles at Jangurori village, adding that apart from arms and ammunitions, bows and arrows recovered from the kingpin, Madu was also said to have confirmed that the terrorists also gave him a horse to enhance his deadly pursuits.

Similarly, the gallant troops arrested one suspected Boko Haram terrorist, Aji Gambo, at Wudla village who revealed that the Boko Haram terrorists that attacked Kirawa and Kolofata in the northern part of Cameroon were from Dara Jamel village Nigeria, where they had an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory.

He further stated that the suicide bombers and the IED were prepared by Abdulrahaman Alkali Isa, Ba’ana Hisuba and Alkali Isa Karami, natives of Dara Jamel, adding however that the perpetrators have fled to Sumbulum village.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai who keeps close tap on the progress of the troops has commended them for their impressive performance thus far.

The troops who are said to be on very high spirits have reiterated their determination to continue with the fight against Boko Haram terrorists till they clear them from all known camps and enclaves.

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It was learnt that the discovery was made during a surprise raid jointly carried out by operatives from the SSS headquarters in Abuja and the state command, according to Premium Times report.

The SSS reportedly stormed the Hilltop Mansion based on security reports.

After ransacking the entire residence of the governor, which is yet to be occupied by the serving Governor, Udom Emmanuel, the operatives moved to guest houses and the presidential lodge, said to be currently in use by ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio.

Security sources said on Friday that the arms were found in one of the guest houses while searching for documents and Improvised Explosive Devices.

When contacted, the state government declined to comment on the report.

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The troops under Operation Lafiya Dole also arrested three terrorists comprising an “Ameer”, a high contact and a foot soldier and discovered apart from the IED making equipment, a Peugeot pick up van, foodstuffs, 10-KVA Lister generator, gas cylinders, borehole, pumping machine, three bags of maize, one bag of millet and 13 empty AGO jerry cans, amongst others.

The joint operation between the Brigade and Nigerian Air Force who provided air cover and tracking, according to Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, acting Director Army Public Relations, was part of the determined effort by the military to rout out terrorists in the general area and open more roads hitherto held by the terrorists for public usage.

“It is also part of the renewed effort and vigour on the part of our troops to meet up with the set dateline that has turned the tide and momentum of the battle against the Boko Haram terrorists in our country.

“I am glad to say that the troops are on high morale and very excited with their accomplishment thus far.”

In a related development, troops have made substantial progress in an advance to reclaim and destroy terrorists held areas within Gamboru Ngala general area.

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Forty-seven others sustained injuries in the suicide bomb in the attack which occurred at 9:05a.m.

Those that sustained injuries were treated at the Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, Damaturu.

Two women who were said to be accomplices have been arrested by the police, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Toyin Gbadegeshin.

Gbadegeshin, who made the confirmation to newsmen in Damaturu, said that “A female suicide bomber, aged about 10 years, detonated the explosive device at a crowded main entrance of the popular Sunday Market, killing 15 people, including 10 females and five males, while injuring 47 others.”

The police spokesman who said that suicide bombers used mortars similar to those recovered from suspected bombers on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway on Monday, during which three policemen and five suicide bombers were killed, said five other units of undetonated explosives were recovered at the scene of the explosion.

Gbadegeshin urged the public to be cautious and remain observant of suspected persons, bags and movements around their environments.

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Sources said that the suicide bombers, who came in a Highlander SUV detonated Improvised Explosive Devices at the checkpoint on Monday afternoon.

Sources say the bombers were trapped at the checkpoint with police personnel about to take them to their headquarters for further interrogation when the suspected terrorists detonated the explosives.

The Police Public relations Officer, PPRO, in Yobe State, Toyin Gbadegesin, has already confirmed the incident.

Details later

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