After a gun battle at a pre-dawn raid, troops from the 3rd Brigade in Kazaure Local Government Area of Jigawa State apprehended a terrorist, suspected to be the Boko Haram bomb manufacturer at a residence on January 4, 2014.
In a press statement, JTF Spokesman, Captain Ikedichi Iweha, said one terrorist was apprehended after a gun battle, while three women and three toddlers were rescued unhurt.
At the end of the operation, five AK 47 rifles, five magazines, and 333 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and various Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were recovered from the residence during an intensive search.
Iweha explained that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is an Improvised Explosive Devices manufacturer and his residence was a staging ground for terrorist activities in Kano.
It is recalled that JTF had earlier alerted the public of fleeing terrorists from major theatres of operation in the North East axis of the country to ‘cooler’ areas due to pressure being mounted on them by the on-going military operations in these areas.
“Members of the public are once again enjoined to continue complimenting the efforts of JTF by carrying out thorough checks on the background of persons who wish to let properties, especially in cool zones or outskirt areas of major towns.”
Iweha pledged that the 3rd Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Kano would not allow its area of operational responsibility to be used as haven for terrorists, adding that appeals of JTF will continue to be complemented with the destruction of properties where terrorists reside, as well as the arrest of such properties’ owners.
He, however, stressed that JTF efforts would not be successful without the cooperation of residents and appealed to all residents not to relent in the fight against terrorists who may be seeking refuge by reporting any suspicious persons, regardless of gender, for immediate action, to prevent the loss of lives and properties.
Urging the citizens to go about their normal lawful businesses without any fear, Iweha charged them to contact JTF through its telephone numbers in the event of any distress, for rapid response.