The military Joint Task Force in Yobe State is going tough on quarry operators in the North-East by monitoring closely the explosives used in their operations.
Already, a team of detectives attached to the JTF is investigating the activities of quarries and the number and manner of explosives in their custody with a view to preventing them from being used by rampaging members of the Boko Haram sect involved in a long-drawn battle with security forces.
The leadership of the JTF is of the view that leaving high calibre dynamite in the possession of quarry operators without security precaution could lead to devastating consequences.
It is the general contention among security personnel in Yobe State that the multiple bombings that rocked the commercial city of Kano recently might have been carried out with the use of dynamite seized by the insurgents from a quarry at Bara, the headquarters of Gulani Local Government Area of Yobe State.
Five bags containing high-calibre explosives for quarry activities were stolen from the quarry by a group of insurgents numbering 25 on Sunday night, about 24 hours before the multiple explosions occurred on Monday.
Further investigations showed that security agents were grilling the Pakistani quarry manager of the company, which was identified as Rick Construction Company.
It was further learnt that troops have been deployed in the quarry to prevent another attack on the company.
No quarry in Yobe State has such a large quantity of explosives at its construction site, our correspondent learnt.
A top security source said that operatives were working on the theory that the seizure of the five bags containing the dynamite was most likely a product of an insider's collusion.
The insurgents were said to have gone straight to where the bags were kept. Besides, the fact that they did not launch an attack on the workers contrary to their traditional pattern of operation worries security agents.
Investigations further showed that the Defence Headquarters, which coordinates the activities of the JTF, is shocked that the operators of the quarry did not inform the JTF of the presence of such a large quantity of explosives in their base.
The JTF is said to have issued a directive that such dynamite should be given adequate protection and moved to locations where it would be safe, "at least during this period."
When our correspondent contacted the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, he confirmed that arrests were made in relation with the Bara incident.
However, he said the JTF was holding only the manager of the quarry while the workers had been released as at the time of filing this report.
He said, "I can confirm that there were arrests, but I think the workers have been released. It is only the main man, the manager that is still being questioned."
He added that troops also arrested two suspected terrorists in Jakusko Local Government Area of the state.
The Punch