Troops of the Nigerian Army have intercepted 242 bags of NPK fertiliser suspected to be diverted for the production of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorists in Borno State.
A senior military source at Army Headquarters confirmed the operation to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, describing it as a major step in choking insurgents’ logistics.
According to the source, troops of 151 Task Force Battalion at Banki Junction, Bama Local Government Area, stopped a truck ferrying 142 bags of NPK 20-10-10 on Wednesday. Preliminary checks revealed that while the fertiliser was meant for delivery to Mbalala ward in Chibok, the truck diverted through Bama en route Askira-Uba — a movement that raised security concerns.
In a separate sting, operatives of the 21 Military Intelligence Regiment, working with the 21 Provost Company, intercepted another truck in Banki carrying 100 bags of NPK fertiliser, 79 bags of maize and 21 bags of rice.
“The fertiliser was not reflected in the waybill, and the driver admitted he was only paid to deliver the load to Banki,” the source disclosed. Both the driver and the consignments are now in custody for investigation.
The army has long warned that fertiliser diversion poses a grave national security threat, as insurgents rely on it to fabricate IEDs.
Meanwhile, troops in the Northeast theatre also uncovered and safely detonated two IEDs along the Mafa–Ajiri road in Mafa LGA. The soldiers further repelled coordinated attacks by ISWAP/JAS fighters on military piquets in Bama, though three civilians sustained injuries and were evacuated to Banki hospital.
Reaffirming the army’s resolve, the source said: “We will sustain pressure in collaboration with other security agencies to deny terrorists access to critical resources, while protecting law-abiding citizens.”
He urged transporters, traders, and locals to avoid collaboration with insurgents and to promptly report suspicious movements.