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Anti-terror police found a haunting text message on a phone belonging to truck terrorist Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel that read: "I have the material."

The latest revelation backs up a theory from French detectives that a secret ISIS-linked terror network may have planned the attacks that massacred 84 people.

It was unclear what 'material' he might be referring to but a weapons cache including guns and grenades was found in the back of his rented truck.

French prosecutors said 31-year-old Bouhlel had driven down the Promenade twice in the days leading up to the attack.

He scouted the Promenade des Anglais on Tuesday 12 July and Wednesday 13 July and could be seen observing the scene 'very carefully', reports Europe1.

After the attack investigators found a four-word message sent from his mobile that read: "I have the material," reports Nice Matin.

(Image: Wenn)

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Forensic experts are tracing the recipient's number as they comb through Bouhlel's computer to uncover if anyone else is linked to the attacks.

Yesterday ISIS claimed responsibility and also released a video glorifying the slaughter of innocent families.

And this morning detectives swooped to arrest a man and woman who remain in custody along with five other suspects including his ex-wife.

Before the attack Bouhlel made a chirpy phone call home before sending brother Jaber a snap of himself posing with pals in the French resort at 4pm.

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At 10.30pm the Tunisian, who was on medication to control his rages and said to suffer severe psychotic attacks, drove a 19-tonne articulated lorry through crowds watching a fireworks display on the Promenade des Anglais, and was shot dead by police.

Brother Jaber Bouhlel, 19, said: “He sent a selfie and told me he was happy and everything in his life was normal.

(Image: Sky news) (Image: REUTERS)

“Later when we heard about what was happening in Nice we started to send him messages asking if he was all right. We here were sending him messages until two in the morning.”

Terror chiefs posted a statement this morning calling Bouhlel a "soldier of the Islamic State"

The statement reads: "Executor of the deadly operation in Nice, France was a soldier of the Islamic State."

(Image: Getty)

(Image: GoffPhotos.com)

However, the claim doesn't necessarily mean the sickening attack was organised by ISIS - it just confirms they approve of it.

Bouhlel was known to officers for common law crimes such as theft and violence but reportedly had no known connections with extremists.

There has been no indication that ISIS were aware of the attack before it happened.

(Image: Phil Harris / Daily Mirror)

ISIS terror chiefs leader urged supporters of the terror group to “run over” the “filthy French" two years before last night’s devastating attack in Nice .

Abu Mohammed al Adnani urged his followers to attack Western citizens in countries such as France, the UK and America.

The chilling threat told supporters to use a variety of methods to kill people, including “run him over with your car”.

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Investigating sources said Bouhlel's last appearance in court was as recently as March, when he was found guilty of violent conduct.

As reported by Nice Matin, he worked as a delivery driver.

His home was searched by police earlier this week and a number of his relatives are now being spoken to by police.

The truck ploughed into crowds on Nice's Promenade des Anglais and continued at speed for around a mile.

The driver was seen shooting from the window of the truck as he smashed into people.