By Abdulsalam Muhammad
KANO — The Joint Military Task Force, JTF,  in Kano, yesterday, morning captured and destroyed an armoury belonging to suspected militants at Gida Ajawa along the Western By-pass in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.

A statement by the JTF spokesman in Kono, Captain Ikediche Iweha, said some dangerous weapons were also recovered from the site while four members of the insurgent group were arrested.

According to Iweha, among the items recovered from the armoury included six AK 47 riffles, one FN riffle, one General Purpose Machine Gun, GPMG, one SMG magazine, one pump action riffle and one PKK pistol.

He further stated that the combat operation to capture the armoury led to the recovery of 10 AK47 riffle magazines, two smoke guns, 189 rounds of AK 47 ammunition and 43 rounds of 5.5mm SNG ammunition.

Others included eight rounds of 9mm ammunition for PKK pistol, 15 hand-held Improvised Explosive Device, two 25-litre containers of liquid chemical substances, 11 bags of nitrate fertilizer, 200 empty containers of assorted drinks as well as wires and other materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs.

The statement also explained that “the activities of terrorists in Kano in recent weeks might not be unconnected with the influx of terrorists fleeing from Maiduguri, Damaturu, Potiskum among other havens as a result of pressure being mounted on them by security operatives in those areas.”

‘’More worrisome is the fact that these terrorists secure accommodation easily in Panshekara, Ja’in, Farawa, Hotoro, Marriri, Sharada and other outskirts in the city despite several appeal by JTF to property owners to desist from renting out their property to these terrorists.

“These appeals having fallen on deaf ears, the JTF would henceforth arrest property owners and they will be treated as accomplices whether they live in such property or not. JTF would not allow KanoState to be safe havens for terrorists.”

Iweha, however, assured the public that “pockets of incidences (of terror) were under control and in the light of the Easter celebration, the JTF patrol in the city had been increased and some check points introduced.

“The JTF warns terrorist elements that it would unleash the full weight of its might on its network and interests anywhere it is traced within KanoState and its metropolis. Be assured that the JTF will not rest on its oars in ensuring the safety of the good people of KanoState and their interests,” the statement added.