The Army yesterday said the suspected mastermind of the bomb and gun attacks in Jos, Plateau State and Zaria, Kaduna State, had been arrested.
The announcement came as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) announced that it lost 37 members to the Zaria blast.
A statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said the suspect and two of his accomplices were arrested at a checkpoint in Dadin Kowa, Gombe State.
“The terrorist kingpin and his colleagues, who disguised in a trailer while trying to evade checks, were fished out by troops.
“Consequently, security cordon was established in the general areas especially along Bauchi, Gombe and the Northeastern part of the country by troops of 3 Division and Special Task Force, as well as the Department of State Services,” the statement said.
The Army added that the suspects were being processed for further action and would soon face the law.
It urged the public to be more vigilant and security-conscious and to report any suspicious persons, movements and facilities to the security agencies.
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Sunday carried out coordinated bomb and gun attacks on worshippers at the Yan Taya Mosque in Jos, Plateau State where scores were killed and many injured.
It was followed by another blast at the Shagalinku Restaurant on Bauchi Road. No fewer than 51 persons were killed and many injured.
A similar attack had occurred at Sabongari, Zaria on Tuesday with 26 persons killed and 36 injured when a young woman with a baby strapped onto her back detonated an explosive in the midst of a crowd of local government workers. She was subsequently blown off alongside the innocent baby.
Also yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed condolences to Nigerians who lost relatives in the latest terrorist atrocities in Jos, Kano and Zaria.
A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the President joined other Nigerians in mourning their loved ones who were brutally murdered in the suicide bombings and attacks that also caused horrifying injuries to others.
Buhari also assured Nigerians of the ability and readiness of the country’s armed forces and security agencies to contain the frantic resort by the terrorists to attacks on soft targets such as crowds and places of worship.
The statement said: “The President is convinced that with recent increases in troops deployment, improvements in the supply of arms and equipment to the military, as well as the ongoing effort to mobilize greater international cooperation and support, the end of Boko Haram and terrorism in Nigeria is in sight.”
He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons to security agents as his administration continues to give the highest possible priority to eradicating Boko Haram and ensuring greater security of lives and property across the country.
The Chairman of Kaduna State Council of Chiefs and the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, condoled with the families of the victims of the Sabon Gari suicide attack.
Ahaji Idris said the Zazzau emirate had never witnessed such a disaster and hoped such incident will not happen again.
He urged Allah to forgive those who lost their lives and wish the injured ones a quick recovery.
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