Two killed as JTF, terrorists clash in Maiduguri

It was indeed a sad Friday for the Joint Task Force, JTF, as two of its Soldiers were killed along Baban Layi ward of Maiduguri Metropolis when some suspected terrorists laid ambush in one of their bases few metres away from the Shehu’s palace where a suicide bomber struck at a Central Mosque yesterday. The incident, we gathered took place at about 2pm which forced residents of the Shehuri ward and environs to vacate their homes as they would no longer resist the sound of sporadic gunshots that followed from the JTF upon their arrival at the scene. According to the JTF Spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa who confirmed the incident, a JTF patrol vehicle was attacked at about 1300 hrs of the day in Shehuri general area by
suspected Boko Haram terrorists and the attack was resisted. The incident, he said led to the killing of two members of the terrorist group, 2 JTF personnel who were unfortunately wounded, and are stable but are now responding to treatment at UMTH. Sagir explained that 25 suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the incidence. Similarly, an improvised explosive device was detected by own troops and detonated by the bomb disposal unit of the task force. The incident occurred at Bulunkutu area, of Maiduguri metropolis today at about 1130 hrs. Thus, the shootings and explosion are the result of the mentioned occurrences. Earlier, Lt.-Col. Sagir Musa, the JTF spokesman stated that “Following intelligence report, a special operation was conducted on Thursday, July 26, and early hours of Friday, 27 July, 2012 in Maiduguri. “The operation led to the arrest of 26 suspected terrorists believed to be members of the terrorists group at Biafra Bula-Bulin, Kasuwan Shanu and GRA in Maiduguri metropolis.” Musa said that the suspects were believed to be the brains behind the killing of two Indians on Wednesday in Maiduguri. “Some of the suspects were responsible for the killings of two Indians, a cleric and several others in Maiduguri in the recent past.’’ Musa said that two AK 47 Rifles, three magazines, 200 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition were also recovered during the raid. “We also recovered a primed Improvised Explosive Device, which was detonated by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the JTF as well as cutlasses, daggers and charms. “There was also a blood stained cloth used during the killing of a cleric in Kasuwan Shanu, Maiduguri.” Ne noted that the items and suspects were kept in the custody of the JTF for necessary action