Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted two trucks conveying 242 bags of fertiliser suspected to be diverted for use in the production of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorists in Borno State.
A senior military source confirmed the operation to journalists in Abuja on Friday, describing it as part of ongoing efforts to cut off critical logistics to Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters operating in the North-East.
According to the source, soldiers of the 151 Task Force Battalion, stationed at Banki Junction in Bama Local Government Area, intercepted a truck on Wednesday carrying 142 bags of NPK 20-10-10 fertiliser.
Preliminary checks revealed that the consignment, which had approval for delivery to Mbalala Ward in Chibok LGA, was instead diverted through Bama en route to Askira-Uba, raising strong suspicions of a terrorist link.
“In a related operation, troops of the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment, working with the 21 Provost Company, also intercepted another truck loaded with 100 bags of NPK fertiliser, 79 bags of maize and 21 bags of rice at Banki,” the source disclosed.
“The fertiliser was not reflected in the waybill presented, and the driver admitted he was only paid to deliver the consignment to Banki town without knowledge of its contents.
The suspects and items are now in custody for further investigation,” he added.
The source explained that fertiliser diversion remains a major national security threat as insurgents continue to use it in fabricating explosives.
He assured that the army would intensify its clampdown on supply chains exploited by terrorists and their collaborators.
He urged transporters, merchants and locals to resist aiding criminal networks and to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
Meanwhile, troops in the theatre also discovered and safely detonated two IEDs planted along the Mafa–Ajiri road in Mafa LGA.
In another encounter on Thursday, they repelled coordinated ISWAP and JAS attacks on military piquets in Bama, during which three civilians sustained injuries and were evacuated to a hospital in Banki.
The source reiterated that the Nigerian Army, working in synergy with other security services, would sustain its operations to deny insurgents freedom of movement and access to critical resources.
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