Kano - Two soldiers and
five suspected Boko Haram
extremists were killed in
shootouts early Saturday
morning on the outskirts of
Kano. Items recovered
during the operation include
two AK 47 rifles, 458 rounds
of 7.62 special and six AK
47 rifle magazines.
Army Captain Ikedichi
Iweha, spokesman for the
security forces' combined
Joint Task Force, said the
suspects were planning
simultaneous suicide
attacks in the Nigerian
capital Abuja and Kano.
In an email sent to
reporters, Iweha said
"intelligence available
indicates that the terrorists
were in the process of
finalizing plans."
Iweha said security is being
tightened in Kano, amid
fears that insurgents are
fleeing to the city from the
three northeastern states
currently under emergency
rule.
Soldiers and agents of the
Department of Security
Services (DSS) engaged in a
shootout with the terrorist
sect cell during security
raids Hotoro Dan'marke and
Brigade Quarters.
"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,"
Iweha, the spokesman, said
via statement.
"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. Items
recovered during the
operation include two AK 47
rifles, 458 rounds of 7.62
special and six AK 47 rifle
magazines.
"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.
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