Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have thwarted a major terror plot after uncovering 56 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters on the strategic Marte-Dikwa Bridge in Borno State.
The explosives were discovered during a clearance operation by soldiers of the 24 Brigade in Dikwa, security analyst Zagazola Makama reported on Friday. The bridge, a critical supply and transit route in northern Borno, was reportedly rigged for a large-scale attack.
Photos from the scene revealed multiple IEDs concealed across the bridge, highlighting the severity of the threat.
Military sources said the swift intervention averted a potential mass-casualty disaster and secured a key corridor frequently targeted by insurgents.
Authorities have heightened surveillance in the area, with ongoing clearance operations to ensure public safety.
The recovery comes amid a surge in IED attacks by terrorist groups in Borno, with security experts warning of evolving insurgent tactics to disrupt military and civilian movement.
The military has urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities as counter-terrorism efforts intensify.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
