by ‘Jola Sotubo

Residents of Hotoro Danmarke and Brigade Quarters in Kano State were witnesses to violence on Friday and Saturday as operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and Department of State Security (DSS) invaded the area which was believed to be the hideout of suspected insurgents.

The operation resulted in a shootout which left 5 suspected terrorists and two security operatives dead. The incident was a huge blow to the state as it had enjoyed relative peace until recent times.

The development was disclosed by the official spokesperson of the JTF, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha, who said in a statement that the incident occurred during an operation in two houses at Hotoro Dan Marke and Brigade areas.

Leadership News reports:

Iweha said two soldiers lost their lives during the early morning operation.

“In the early hours of this morning, at 3am to be precise, a combined team of JTF and DSS personnel stormed two residences at Hotoro Dan Marke and Brigade General areas.

During the operation which resulted in a shootout, five terrorists and two soldiers lost their lives,’’ it said.

The statement added that intelligence reports had indicated that the terrorists were in the process of finalising plans to carry out simultaneous suicide attacks in Abuja and Kano.

It said items recovered during the operation included two AK 47 rifles, 458 rounds of 7.62 special and six AK 47 rifle magazines.

Iweha said the security outfit had been achieving positive results from its operations in the state.

“The proactive reactions of the JTF have denied the terrorists freedom of action in Kano and from using the state as a spring board to launch attacks on other parts of the country,” it said.

The statement then urged members of the public to go about their normal businesses without fear as the JTF had increased its patrols to cope with the situation.

Iweha said: “The proactive reactions of the JTF have denied the terrorists freedom of action in Kano and from using the state as a spring board to launch attacks on other parts of the country. 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,” he said.

“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.”