31st July, 2012
The Joint Task Force (JTF) on Operation Restore Order (ORO) on Tuesday said it intercepted rocket launchers, rocket bombs and AK 47 rifles being transported by suspected terrorists to Nigeria’s traumatised city of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state.
It also said it killed two suspected terrorists in Monguno Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, who accompanied the arms.
The JTF Spokesman, Lt.-Col.Sagir Musa, stated this while briefing newsmen in Maiduguri today and added that the two men died in a shootout with the JTF men..
“The arms included eight rocket launchers, 10 rocket bombs, 10 rocket chargers, two AK 47 rifles and 13 magazines.”
He said that the arms were concealed in a blue Toyota Hilux vehicle heading towards Maiduguri.
“The JTF in conjunction with the Department of State Service, the Multi National Joint Task Force intercepted large consignment of arms and ammunitions.
“The consignment was intercepted at Daban Masara in Monguno Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno based on intelligence report.
“The large consignment of arms was being moved from Baga Masara heading towards Maiduguri in a blue hilux vehicle.
“The JTF wishes to appeal to members of the public to provide useful information to security agencies in order to stop the isolated killings in the state.”
Maiduguri has been the major centre of the violence by the Boko Haram sects and hundreds of people have been killed since 2009 when the insurgency began.
In another development, the Anti-Bomb Disposal Unit of Kano State Police Command on Tuesday said it defused a bomb planted at the Federal College of Education, Kano.
According to Mr. Ibrahim Idris, the state Commissioner of Police, the Command received information at about 8 a.m. from the security department of the college about an item spotted in Block 400.
“The anti bomb disposal unit of the command was immediately dispatched to the scene and on arrival, they professionally removed the item which was an Improvised Explosive Device contained in an aviation gas tube.
‘’They moved it to a safer area and detonated it without causing any injury or damage whatsoever,’’ the statement said.
The statement said normalcy had returned to the college as students continued with their normal academic activities.
It called on members of the public to be vigilant and to report any suspicious package or items to the police for necessary action. (NAN)