9th October, 2013
MADUABUCHI NMERIBEH/Kano
Security forces in the northern Nigerian city of Kano on Wednesday uncovered plots by terrorists to carry out mayhem in the ancient city during the Eid-El-Kabir celebration.
Two camps of the Boko Haram sect located in Gunduwawa, a tiny community in Gezawa Local Government Area were raided by the Joint Task Force, JTF, composed of soldiers and DSS agents.
The hideouts, according to the Commander, 3 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Brigadier-General Illyasu Isah Abba were also used as bomb-factories, “they were planning a serious attack on Kano during the forthcoming festive periods,” he added.
The Army boss who said most members of the sect flee upon the arrival of security operatives, confirmed that one of their leaders was gunned down during the raid.
Weapons recovered from the raided hideouts include assault rifle, two AK 58 rifle magazines with 193 rounds of 5.5mm ammunition, one AK 47 rifle magazine with 107 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition, bows, and arrows.
Also, materials used for making Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, found in the raided buildings include three primed cylinders of IEDs, one primed explosive suicide back-pack, 18 empty IED cylinders, 24 detonators, small bags of fertilizer, IED timers, cortex wires and three remote control devices.
Other items recovered include work tools, five Motorola hand-held radios, four communicators, six alarm clocks, two cartons of 9-volt batteries, a scale, one external hard-drive and one heavy duty charger/battery.
“These weapons, ammunitions and other heavy dangerous materials were meant to wreck havoc on Kano during the Eid-El-Kabir festivities and other festivities before the end of the year,” Illyasu Abbah noted.
Director, Kano Command of Department of State Services, DSS, Mr. Bassey Eteng warned residents to be watchful, noting that the terrorist group has devised a new trick similar that Boston suicide-bombing by carrying explosives on back-pack bags.
Brigadier-General Illyasu further stated that, “the JTF is aware that the terrorists are trying to establish some safe havens on the outskirts of Kano metropolis in order to resume their nefarious activities which had been curbed within the city.
“In order to ensure Kano remains a safe place for all, we are keeping a watchful eye on the surrounding towns and settlements through which the terrorists may use as access into the metropolitan.
“The JTF appreciates the cooperation of the public in the fight against terrorism and enjoins all well-meaning citizens to come forward with relevant information towards dealing decisively with the terrorist group. We shall continue to uphold the confidentiality of our sources and follow up every information to a conclusive end.”