The Department of State Services revealed on Tuesday that it had conducted a joint operation with the military and police to search terrorist hideouts in certain of the states of Kaduna and Kano.
According to a statement made by DSS Spokesman Dr. Peter Afunanya, the terrorists used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against the battling soldiers throughout the operation.
According to the statement, one of the terrorists who was wearing a suicide vest detonated himself as three suspects were being detained.
Two suicide jackets, an AK-47 rifle, a pistol, and a laptop were found during a check of the group’s lodging after other IEDs had been defused by Police EOD, according to the statement.
During the raid in Kano State, two suspects were arrested while a pistol, eleven mobile phones, two hand grenades, one fully charged AK-47 magazine, two empty AK-47 magazines, one Peugeot 307 car and an ID card belonging to a suspect that escaped, were seized.
The raid was based on Intelligence,which had earlier revealed that high profile terrorist were regrouping in the North West to carry out dastardly acts in the area. The terrorists escape into the North West is said to be necessitated by the steady military operations in the North East.
Afunanya said,”The Service commends the Nigerian Military and Police for their resilience and support which led to the success of the operation.
“The sustained interagency synergy is, without doubt, a game changer in the counter-threat actions.
“Also, the Service wishes to state and very clearly, that it will continue to collaborate with sister agencies to rid the nation of criminal elements particularly at this transition period and even beyond. This is more so that certain persons are desperate to undermine the process.
” But the Service will resist this and ensure a seamless event. It will continue to cooperate with stakeholders to achieve a peaceful environment critical to the pursuit of legitimate businesses by law abiding citizens and residents,” the agency stated.