Army intercepts eight suspected terrorrists in Yola

Yola – A major tragedy was averted during Eld-el-Fitri celebration in Yola yesterday as the military intercepted about eight heavily armed terrorists heading towards the main Eid praying ground ostensibly to attack Muslim faithfuls observing the prayers.

The men and officers of the 23 Armoured Brigade, which intercepted the people said to be on a mission to kill said the suspects were armed with AK 47 riffles, when they ran into a patrol team at Song, a few kilometres to Yola, along the Yola-Maiduguri trunk A road.

It was learnt that one of the suspects was killed during a scuffle with military men, even as those arrested were detained at the army cantonment in Yola.


Among the worshippers at the Yola main Eid praying ground, included prominent personalities, such as  the Adamawa State Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako, the Lamido of Adamawa, Dr Barkindo Mohammed Aliyu Mustafa, some members of  the national and state assembly members and members of state executive council.

The Army Cantonment spokesman, Lt . Y . Olukoya, confirmed the incident, saying, ‘’our soldiers intercepted some armed men with AK47 riffles and ammunition at Song heading towards Yola. One was shot while the others were arrested.’’

On Thursday, last week, about 30 armed bandits killed 17 persons including nine policemen, one soldier, and seven civilians among them, four members of staff of the United Bank for Africa, UBA, in Gombi, a few kilometers from Yola.

Also, the armed bandits raided two banks and sacked two police stations in the process.