Nigeria military discovers bomb factory in northern state

Nigerian troops in restive northeast region on Friday said it had uncovered a bomb factory operated by the violent Islamic sect Boko Haram in Yobe State.

The military said the factory was where Boko Haram members manufactured the improvised explosive devices used to carry out bomb attacks.

The Defense spokesperson Major General Chris Olukolade said in a statement reaching Xinhua that the ongoing cordon and search by troops in Buni Yadi area of the state led to the discovery of a bomb making factory.

He said a large quantity of Improvised Explosive Devices (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 to production of all types of IEDs.

He added that 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," he said.

Nigerian security forces sacked Boko Haram terrorists from Buni Yadi after a military assault that was conducted last Saturday.

The Nigerian 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," Olukolade said.

Boko Haram commenced a bombing campaign against the government in 2007 in pursuit of its demand for the establishment of Islamic Sharia law in the country.

The group had claimed responsibility for several bombings mostly in northern Nigeria.