(Reuters) Nigerian troops have arrested the mastermind of bombings in the central cities of Jos and Zaria this week that killed at least 69 people, the defense ministry said on Thursday.
No one has yet taken responsibility for the attacks but are similar to the modus operandi of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, which has been waging a six-year insurgency in Nigeria.
"The highly placed terrorist was arrested with two others who were in his company. One of them was however shot while trying to escape," the defence ministry said.
The suspect was said to have been picked up at a checkpoint in the northeast city of Gombe, on the fringes of Boko Haram's northeast stronghold
Last week, more than 100 people were killed in a series of attacks that have put pressure on the new government of President Muhammadu Buhari who is working with neighbouring states to quell the insurgency.
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