Nigeria arrests five militant commanders

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MAIDUGURI, Nigeria, Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Nearly a dozen suspected members of the Boko Haram terrorist group, including five commanders, have been arrested in northeastern Nigeria, the government said.

Military-style equipment and a number of explosive devices were found during a Monday night raid near the militants' headquarters, The (Lagos) Guardian newspaper reported.

The government's Military Joint Task Force said it found 36 improvised explosive devices, nine tear gas canisters and bomb-making materials, in addition to arms and ammunition.

Police helmets, combat boots, handcuffs, two cameras and binoculars also were recovered.

The raid was conducted in Waka-Biu, about 116 miles south of the Borno State capital of Maiduguri. The town is the headquarters of Boko Haram.

Ibrahim Gaidam, governor of neighboring Yobe State, has blamed the militants for recent attacks and the burning of two government office complexes, a mosque and a secondary school, and the destruction of a number of cellphone towers.