Army Arrests Boko Haram Kingpin John Trankil

Troops of the Nigerian Army on counter-terrorism operations in the north eastern part of the nation on Monday arrested a Boko Haram Terrorist kingpin, Mr John Trankil.

The troops of the Seven Division Garrison, Operation Lafiya Dole, made the arrest at Kasuwar Shanu in Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State.

In a statement, the defence Headquarters said preliminary investigation revealed that nine suspected terrorists had sneaked into Maiduguri armed with AK 47 assault rifles and a Hilux vehicle laden with 20 Improvised Explosive Devices meant to be detonated at some selected targets in the city.

The statement did not say if Mr Trankil was part of the nine suspected terrorists.

According to the Defence Headquarters, troops of 21 Brigade Nigerian Army, while on offensive operations on Boko Haram terrorists location, with the support from the Nigerian Air Force, discovered and destroyed terrorists’ Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and Rocket making factory along Bama-Gonin Kurmi within the outskirts of Bama town also in Borno State.

“The items recovered includes gas cylinders, welding machine, pipes and poles. Others include locally made rocket shells,

“Large quantity of assorted chemicals, unprimed IEDs and various technical and laboratory equipment suspected to be stolen from schools’ laboratories around Bama before they were dislodged from the area,” the statement read.

The Theatre Commander operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Mahmood Abubakar, commended the efforts of the troops and implored troops and the public to be more vigilant and security conscious particularly at all check points, markets, worship centres, motor parks and schools.

On Saturday, the Department of State Services arrested a suspected high profile Boko Haram terrorist, Danladi Abdullahi, at Moduganari area of Maiduguri metropolis.

Mr Abdullahi is one of the 100 suspected terrorists declared wanted by the Nigerian Army.