Four soldiers died in the course of the operation to clear terrorists from Buni-Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State as troops, on cordon and search, uncovered a bomb-making factory, where the improvised explosives devices, used by terrorists, are being produced.
The soldiers were reportedly killed by explosions while clearing the IEDs, which the terror group, Boko Haram, had deployed in different parts of the town.
A large quantity of IEDs, including those said to be commonly used by suicide bombers, were recovered from the site last Saturday.
A statement by Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, in Abuja on Friday, said the factory, which was located in a fertilizer company, had converted some of the materials there for production to 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,” it said.
The statement added that terrorists were sacked from Buni-Yadi after a military assault, adding that the troops’ advance was delayed by the series of IEDs planted on the highway leading to 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,” it added.