No fewer than 17 Islamist militants were killed, yesterday, in
Kano after two days of sustained exchange of fire between the militants
and security agents. Four others were also reportedly killed in
Damaturu, Yobe State capital. It was gathered that three undergraduates
were among those arrested by security agents.
The gunmen had reportedly launched an operation, attacking seven
targets with explosives and assault rifles in Kano during the attack
that lasted about 12 hours.
The military Joint Task Force, JTF, reportedly killed two of the
attackers in Damaturu, while one was arrested in the 30-minute fierce
battle that later spread to the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, premises.
It was alleged that a group of unknown gunmen, suspected to be
terrorists, had earlier attacked a police out-post in Sabon Fegi ward in
the metropolis, killing two civilians. A woman and her child were hit
by stray bullets during the exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and
men of JTF.
Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris told newsmen in Kano
that the gunmen attacked their targets with explosives and assault
riffles, adding that no fewer than 14 Improvised Explosive Devices,
IEDs, were defused by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the police command
during the gunfight.
He said: “Some extremists launched an attack with bombs and assault
rifles on Dala Police Station, Jakara Police Barracks, Goron Dutse
Division, Panshekara Division, 52 Squadron Mobile Police Unit, Challawa;
and also planted bombs at the Junior Secondary School, Sabuwar Doka in
Ungogo Local Government.
“The extremists, who were about 30, attacked policemen on duty with
assault rifles and IEDs, and the policemen gallantly repelled the
attacks.”
He added that the ‘’extremists’’ also attacked the Goron Dutse Prison
yard, but the policemen on duty repelled their attacks successfully. He
said no damage was done to the prisons, even as the situation was now
under control.
VANGUARD
