Mastermind Of Abuja-Kuduna Train Attack Arrested

One of the masterminds of the terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train which occurred last year has been arrested.

Recall that some dreaded terrorists on March 28, 2022, attacked a moving train on the route and abducted scores of passengers. They also killed some of the train passengers on the spot, Naija News recalls.

However, the Defence Headquarters revealed in a statement on Thursday (today) that the troops arrested one of the assailants during a recent operation.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Musa Danmadami, confirmed in the statement that troops arrested three terrorists recently at Damba, a community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Danmadami explained that the defence headquarters got a tip-off of the whereabouts of the terrorists, and troops mobilised to the location on Valentine’s Day and recovered two motorcycles, two mobile phones, the sum of $5,000 as well as some other currencies.

The statement said: “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 three terrorists. One of the terrorists detained 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 two motorcycles, two mobile phones, the sum of five thousand Dollars ($5,000) as well as some other currency and other sundry items.”

According to Danmadami, on February 16, 2023, troops on fighting patrol made contact with terrorists at Ungwan Birni in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Following the firefight, troops neutralized seven 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, four magazines, 66 rounds of 7.62 mm special ammunition and seven BH/ISWAP terrorist flags.

He stated that troops in the North West Zone recovered 10 AK47 rifles, 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 238 rounds of 7.62mm special, two locally fabricated rifles, one locally manufactured pistol, seven magazines, 19 motorcycles, mobile phones, 30 rustled cattle and other sundry items, adding that troops neutralized 23 terrorists and arrested 9 as well as rescued 23 abducted civilians.