frsc Corps Marshal, Osita Chidoka (right), presenting frsc publications to President John Mahama of Ghana, during his working visit to Ghana last Thursday. Photo: NAN

The Defence Headquarters has said that the Special Forces have foiled an attempt by four suicide bombers to blast an Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) facility along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road.
The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade, said in an electronic mail yesterday that four suicide bombers were killed by soldiers in the operation.
He said three of the four cars laden with the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) exploded when soldiers fired at the vehicles at Mule community on the outskirt of Maiduguri.
Olukolade also said that five soldiers were injured in the explosions that rocked the area.
He said, “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.
“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.
“Five soldiers were wounded while the civilian casualties are yet to be determined.”
He said the Defence Headquarters would give details of the foiled suicide bomb attack later.
Meanwhile, military authorities say over 288 rifles, 35 rocket propelled guns (RPG) and 35 locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered after a fierce encounter in Abugasse, Cameroon, close to the Chadian border from suspected terrorists.
A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Defence Information and Coordinator of Joint Information Centre Counter Terrorism Campaign, Maj-Gen Chris Olukolade, said “the resolve for collaborative efforts to fight terrorism in the region got a boost recently when Cameroon’s security forces made a huge seizure of arms, apparently meant for use by terrorists operating in Nigeria last weekend.
“Other weapons recovered include pistols, mortar bombs, sub-machine guns and various calibres of ammunition, following the arrest of two suspects believed to be major arms suppliers to the terrorists in Nigeria.
“The suspects, who were in possession of over 50 Cameroonian passports, were nabbed in a Toyota Jeep in Abugasse near the Chadian border with Cameroon,” the statement said.
Olukolade recalled that the Cameroonian authorities recently pledged to support Nigeria’s counter terrorism efforts.
He said that the renewed offensive on terrorists by Nigerian troops had continued to record series of arrests of terrorists and recovery of arms, especially close to the nation’s border with Cameroon.
According to the statement, apart from the arms recovered following disclosure from captured terrorists lately, more arms have been captured in the ongoing offensive operations.
The defence information boss said that a terrorist driving in a green Peugeot vehicle with registration number Bauchi 264 AA, heading to Maiduguri from Alagarno, was arrested at a check point during the weekend.
He said that the arrest of the terrorist had led to the recovery of 15 AK47 rifles and 12 magazines and various yet to be assembled rifles.
“Meanwhile, the offensive on terrorists in various fronts is continuing. The Alagarno area, 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 theatres have been destroyed.
“Various calibres 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,” Olukolade was quoted as saying.