The Nigerian Defence Headquarters on Friday evening announced that Nigerian troops combing the Buni Yadi Local Government Area of Yobe State, north-eastern Nigeria for Boko Haram insurgents have discovered a bomb- making factory, where improvised explosive devices, IEDs, used by the terrorists were being produced.“The ongoing cordon and search by troops in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State has led to the discovery of a bomb making factory, where Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, used by terrorists were being produced. A large quantity of IEDs including those commonly used by suicide bombers were recovered from the site,” the Defence Headquarters said in a statement posted on its website.
“The factory, which was located in a fertilizer company, has also converted some of the materials therein for production of all types of IEDs. Troops are still evacuating the materials which include a large quantity of suicide bomber vests from the facility to their base. It is believed that the heavy calibre bomb used in blowing up the bridge between Damaturu and Buni Yadi was produced in the factory.
“The terrorists were sacked from Buni Yadi after a military assault that was conducted last Saturday. The troops advance was delayed by the series of IEDs planted on the highway leading to Buni Yadi.
“Four soldiers died from such IEDs in the course of the operation to clear terrorists from the town.
“This discovery is expected to degrade the capability of terrorists in the production of explosives, which they have been using lavishly in the area until they were dislodged from their stronghold.”
Meanwhile, African countries have asked the United Nations to set up a trust fund to finance a force to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria and called on the international community to supply intelligence and equipment, according to a draft U.N. resolution.
The draft U.N. Security Council text endorses the creation of a force by Nigeria and its neighbors Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Benin to take on Boko Haram. The 54-nation African Union has already approved a force of up to 10,000 troops.