by Isi Esene
A Nigerian Army joint force today released a statement giving reasons for launching a pre-emptive strike on suspected militants at Gaskiya area of Zaria, Kaduna today.
According to the statement, the Army received security reports indicating the group is planning coordinated suicide attacks top coincide with tomorrow’s Independence anniversary.
The Army confirmed that it killed some members of the dreaded Islamic militant group and arrested others. Among those arrested was a female and one of the buildings raided was destroyed.
According to reports, the building was heavily loaded with explosives and used for the storage of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
A statement signed by the Army Public Relations officer, Captain Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the gunfight took place in the early hours of today when the militants engaged troops and the State Security Service (SSS) in a fierce gun battle in Gaskiya Layout, Tukur-Tukur, Zaria.
Abdullahi said the IEDs were planned to be used for various violent operations of the militant sect in other to realise maximum casualties.
"As a result, a controlled detonation was carried out by Army Engineers so as to save other law abiding residents of the area and to stop further planning and execution of the nefarious, destructive, criminal and deadly activities of the sect," the statement said.
