A dawn raid on members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect in Kano, northwest Nigeria on Saturday claimed the lives of two soldiers and five men of the Islamic terrorist group.
The terror group and Nigeria’s security forces made up of soldiers and agents of the Department of Security Services, DSS, engaged in gun duel during raids at Hotoro Dan’marke and Brigade Quarters early Saturday morning.
According to a Press Release signed by the Spokesman of 3 Brigade, Nigeria Army headquarters in Kano, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, intelligence reports made available to security forces confirmed that the sect members who infiltrated Kano recently were planning simultaneous suicide-bombing attacks in Kano and Abuja.
“Sequel to the series of cordon and search operations being carried out by the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the men of the DSS in Kano, complementing the ongoing operations by troops in the North Eastern axis of the country, the JTF wishes to keep the general public abreast with developments.
“In the early hours of Saturday, 9 November 2013, at about 0300 hours to be precise, a combined team of the JTF and DSS personnel stormed two residences at Hotoro Dan Marke and Brigade general areas. In the resulting shootout, five terrorists and two soldiers lost their lives. Intelligence available indicates that the terrorists were in the process of finalizing plans to carry out simultaneous suicide attacks in Abuja and Kano respectively,” Captain Iweha stated.
Items recovered during the operation include two AK 47 rifles, 458 rounds of 7.62 special and six AK 47 rifle magazines.
Captain Iweha who also doubles as the spokesman of Kano Joint Task Force further stated that the proactive reactions of the JTF have denied the terrorists freedom of action in Kano and from using the state as a spring board to launch attacks on other parts of the country.
“This is due to the cooperation the JTF is receiving from members of the general public. The recent rise in activities of members of the terrorist sect may not be unconnected with the increase in pressure being mounted on them by troops in the North Eastern axis and their desperation to make loud statements of their presence.
“Members of the general public are therefore enjoined to go about their normal businesses without fear as the JTF has increased its patrols to cope with the pressure of the ember periods and fleeing terrorists. However, worrisome is the ease with which terrorists secure accommodation easily in Panshekara, Ja’en, Mariri, Farawa, Hotoro, Sherada, Brigade and other outskirt areas in the state despite appeals by the JTF to property owners to desist from renting their properties to persons with questionable identities.
“The JTF in Kano would not allow the state to be used as haven for terrorists. These appeals having fallen on deaf ears, the JTF would not only continue to destroy any such properties which is found to accommodate terrorists but will also arrest the owners of such properties, treating them as accomplices even if they do not reside in the said property.
“The effort of the JTF would not be successful without the cooperation of the residents of Kano. The JTF therefore calls on all residents of Kano not to relent in the fight against terrorist elements who are seeking refuge in the state by reporting any suspicious persons regardless of gender for immediate action to prevent the loss of lives and properties.
Additionally, members of the general public are please enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without any fear and to contact the JTF through its telephone numbers in the event of any distress for rapid response,” Iweha stated.