BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

ABUJA – The Nigerian military fighting the Boko Haram militants in the North East have discovered a bomb making factory where improvised explosive devices (IEDs) used by terrorists were being produced.

The Director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said the recovery was made during the ongoing cordon and search by troops in Buni Yadi,Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Maj. Gen. Olukolade added that a large quantity of IEDs including those commonly used by suicide bombers were recovered from the site.

According to him, “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,” he said.