Security
authorities in Kano, on Monday, confirmed a plot by terrorists to wreak havoc
on the state on Christmas day. They said the plot was with a view to scare
Christians from coming out to worship during the Yuletide. Speaking during a
press conference held at the 3 Brigade of the Nigeria Army, Bukavu Barracks,
Kano, the head of the Joint Security Task Force (JSTF) in the state, Brigadier
General Illyasu Abbah, disclosed that it was against the this background that
they had embarked on a house to house search in some quarters in the state.
Those who briefed newsmen included the State Director, State Security Service
(SSS), Mr. Bassey Enteng, Air Commodore Sani Ahmed (Airforce) and the State
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris. He, however, assured the public that
they were on top of the situation.
Hear him: “We have already given this assurance. We had a
stakeholders meeting with both the Christians and the religious leaders in the
state two days ago. We gave them these assurances. And we are still assuring
the people of Kano State that we are going to give them security.”
According to the head of the JSTF in the state, residents of the
state had no reason to worry during and after the festive period; rather they
should go about their celebrations and normal businesses without fear. They,
nevertheless, tasked the members of the public to immediately report to
security operatives upon the sighting any (un)attended bag or items wrapped in
polythene bags even as they assured that they were on top of the situation.
The security authorities explained that investigations had
revealed there was an influx into the state of terrorists trying to escape the
pressures being mounted in other JTF theaters of operations. In particular, the
security authorities revealed that it was not impossible that some of the members
of a terrorist group, who operated in Katsina State recently might have
infiltrated Kano State but stressed that, “that is why we have our checkpoints
to ensure that any of them that passes through our checkpoints, we would grab
him.
“The JTF is also aware of some bad elements who have constituted
themselves as property agents specialising in securing houses for rent for
terrorists migrating to the city.
The JTF warns property owners to be careful in letting out
properties to questionable identities as the destruction of such properties
found accommodating terrorists is the only option at the disposal of JTF.” The
JTF equally appraised the terrorists attacks on the facilities of two mobile
phone networks in the state on Saturday, including the Improvised Explosive
Devices (IED), which was dropped by unknown persons at a relaxation centre in
the Gagarawa area of Badawa, pointing out that the failed exploits led to no
loss of life except the lives of the suicide bombers who plotted the ills.
They thanked residents of the state for their cooperation in the
war against terror in the state, saying the successes recorded would not have
been attained without their support.