Boko Haram: Cameroon Confiscates Huge Weapons, Explosives Meant For Attacks In Nigeria

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014

Cameroon security forces on Tuesday made a huge seizure of arms apparently meant for use by terrorists operating in Nigeria last weekend.

Over 288 rifles and 35 Rocket Propelled Guns as well as 35 locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered after a fierce encounter at Abugasse, Cameroon, close to the Chadian border.

Other weapons recovered included pistols, mortar bombs, sub-machine guns and various calibers of ammunitions following the arrest of two suspects believed to be major arms suppliers to the terrorists in Nigeria.

The weapons, according to Military authorities were nabbed in Abugasse near the Chadian border with Cameroon. Also in their possession were over 50 Cameroonian passports as well as a Toyota Jeep.

According to a statement issued by the Defence Headquarters and signed by its spokesman, Major General Chris Olukolade, it was a boost to the quest of Nigeria to secure support of all the governments in the sub-region in the on-going counter-insurgency operations.

“It will be recalled that the Cameroonian authorities recently pledged to back Nigeria’s counter terrorism efforts.

Also, the renewed offensive on terrorists by Nigerian troops have continued to record a series of arrests of terrorists and recovery of arms, especially close to the nation’s border with Cameroon.

Apart from arms recovered following disclosure from captured terrorists lately, more arms have been captured in the ongoing offensive in different fronts.

“The arrest at a checkpoint of a terrorist driving in a green Peugeot vehicle with registration Number Bauchi 264 AA heading to Maiduguri from Alagarno during the weekend, led to the recovery of 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines and various yet to be assembled rifles”, the military stated.

According to the Defence Headquarters, “the offensive on terrorists in various fronts is continuing.

The Alagarno area as well as various points of Sambisa forest and suburbs have been witnessing intense operations since Monday. Apart from several dead terrorists, 14 vehicles which were either being used for operation or hidden by the terrorists in various parts of the forests and theaters have been destroyed.

Various calibers of weapons and ammunitions were also recovered in the course of fighting and subsequent cordon and search of the areas. Intensive air and ground surveillance are also ongoing in the general area”.

Meanwhile, four terrorists believed to be suicide bombers, apparently heading for an NNPC facility along Maiduguri-Damboa road have died in their IED laden vehicles. The explosions took place at Mule in the outskirt of Maiduguri yesterday.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the DHQ, Olukolade, “Three of the four explosive laden vehicles were demobilized by shots fired at them by soldiers at the check point shortly before the explosions that rocked the area”.

The statement also disclosed that five soldiers were wounded while the civilian casualties are yet to be determined.

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