By Mustapha Usman, Kano
The Kano State Police Command has averted planned attacks by members of Boko Haram terrorist group in the state and arrested five suspects, two of which were female.
Parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters on Sunday in Kano, the state Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Yusuf said the arrest was made following “an active intelligence report.”
According to him, the suspects met their waterloo at around 02:00 am on Sunday at their hideout in Gayawa village of Ungoggo Local Government area while planning to attack various public places in Kano metropolis.
He added that the suspected terrorists were nabbed after exchanging fire with the security forces, adding that 3 of the police officers sustained various degrees of injuries by Improvised Explosive Device, IED, and have been receiving treatment at hospital.
Mr. Yusuf further said that the arrest indicated that the remnant of the terrorists who fled Sambisa forest were regrouping in some northern states including Kano.
“It is because of the concern to ensure the fleeing terrorists don’t attack any location in the state, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim K. Idris set up joint police special team, comprising of Special Tactics Force, STF, Special Anti-robbery Squad , Kano, the Force Intelligence Unit, other undercover and other Police team under the supervision of the CP, Kano command.
“The sustenance of this operation by the special forces yielded positive result this morning when the team intercepted the remnant of the terrorist group while they were about to attack public centres, places of worship and other peoples’ gatherings.
“The police team came under attack of these remnants but it was repelled and five of them, three male and two female were arrested. Three of our officers sustained injuries from the IED and gunshots launched on them and are currently receiving treatment at hospital,” he told journalists.
The Police Commissioner further revealed that all the suspects confessed to being active members of Boko Haram group that carried out several attacks on innocent people in Kano and other northeastern states.
He said the suspects were identified as , Abba Muhammad, 20-year old from Niger Republic, Usman A. Buhari, 23, from Borno State and Iliyasu Ya’u, 46, from Gezawa Local Government area of the state.
Others are Aisha Ya’u, aged 25 and Ladidi Yunusa, 27 years, who are both heavily pregnant from Kwana Hudu quarters in the state metropolis.
Items recovered include 1 AK 47 rifle, 49 ammunition, 4 magazines, 4 pieces of IEDs, 2 sets of Air Force Uniform, 1 hand smoke, 1 military boot, 1 laptop, and 1 Ipad, among other items.
Mr Yusuf also called on the public to be vigilant and provide useful information on suspicious persons, adding that the arrest had indicated the terrorists had infiltrated the state.
