The State Security Service says its operatives, soldiers, and police launched raids on Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist hideouts in Kaduna and Kano. The secret police revealed that the terror groups are establishing “active cells” in the states.

Peter Afunanya, the spokesperson for SSS, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the raids of the hideouts in the two states were simultaneously carried out in the early hours of Monday.

According to him, during the raid in Kaduna, the terrorists deployed improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against SSS operatives.

He said one of the terrorists wore a suicide jacket and blew himself up while three suspects were arrested.

Mr Afunanya said items seized during a search on the group’s accommodation after police EOD had diffused other IEDs were two suicide jackets, one AK-47 rifle, a pistol and one laptop.

“In Kano state, two suspects were arrested while recovered items were a pistol, 11 mobile phones, two hand grenades and one fully charged AK-47 magazine. Other items recovered are two empty AK-47 magazines, one Peugeot 307 car and an ID card belonging to a suspect that escaped,” he said.

Mr Afunanya said intelligence had earlier revealed that high-profile terrorist targets were regrouping in the North-West to launch attacks.

He said the military operations in the North-East had forced the insurgents’ relocation to the North-West and central zones to establish active cells.

“The service commends the Nigerian military and police for their resilience and support, which led to the success of the operation,” he added. “The sustained interagency synergy is, without doubt, a game changer in counter-threat actions.”

Mr Afunanya said the SSS would continue cooperating with stakeholders to achieve a peaceful environment critical to pursuing legitimate businesses by law-abiding citizens and residents. 

(NAN)