Maj.-Gen. Joseph Shoboiki, the GOC 1 Division, Nigerian Army, says the arrest of a gunrunner suspect and a terror group spokesman by his men, precipitated Tuesday’s bomb attack on the division.
A statement signed by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, 1 Division, Lt. Col. Abubakar Edun, said that Shoboiki made the remarks, when he received the Minister of State (Defence), Mrs Olusola Obada, in Kaduna.
The statement, made available to news men on Saturday in Kaduna, said that the minister was in Kaduna for an on-the-spot assessment of the failed suicide bomb attempt on the headquarters of 1 Division
“ Major General Joseph Shoboiki informed her that troops of the division are involved in the internal security operation across the state contributing to the peace and security of the nation.
“ The division arrested a suspected gunrunner and a spokesman of the Boko Haram group, which is believed to have led to the attack,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the Commander, 1 Division Intelligence Group, Col. Digol Golo, narrated to the minister how the suicide bomber carried out the attack on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at about 12:18 p.m.
Responding, Obada said terrorism appeared to be a global phenomenon that required all nations of the world to come together and fight against the menace, the statement said.
It said that the minister commended the Nigerian Army for its role in combating terrorism and urged them not to be deterred by the attack.
The Nigerian Army and the SSS jointly arraigned the gun runner suspect, Nuhu Marafa, 54, and his Son, Musa, in a Kaduna Chief Magistrate’s Court on a two-count charge of gunrunning and funding a terror group on Friday, Feb. 10.
The 1 Division also arrested one Abu Darda, who claimed to be the spokesman of the terror group in Kaduna recently.