JTF VS Gunmen clash: 21 killed in attacks in Kano and Yobe.

No fewer than 17 Islamist militants were killed, yesterday, in Kano after two days of sustained exchange of fire between the militants and security agents. Four others were also reportedly killed in Damaturu, Yobe State capital. It was gathered that three undergraduates were among those arrested by security agents.

The gunmen had reportedly launched an operation, attacking seven targets with explosives and  assault rifles in Kano during the attack that lasted about 12 hours.

The military Joint Task Force, JTF, reportedly killed two of the attackers in Damaturu, while one was arrested in the 30-minute fierce battle that later spread to the Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, premises.

It was alleged that a group of unknown gunmen, suspected to be terrorists, had earlier attacked a police out-post in Sabon Fegi ward in the metropolis, killing two civilians. A woman and her child were hit by stray bullets during the exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and men of JTF.

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris told newsmen in Kano that the gunmen attacked their targets with explosives and assault riffles, adding that no fewer than 14 Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, were defused by the Bomb Disposal Unit of the police command during the gunfight.

He said: “Some extremists launched an attack with bombs and assault rifles on Dala Police Station, Jakara Police Barracks, Goron Dutse Division, Panshekara Division, 52 Squadron Mobile Police Unit, Challawa; and also planted bombs at the Junior Secondary School, Sabuwar Doka in Ungogo Local Government.

“The extremists, who were about 30, attacked policemen on duty with assault rifles and IEDs, and the policemen gallantly repelled the attacks.”

He added that the ‘’extremists’’ also attacked the Goron Dutse Prison yard, but the policemen on duty repelled their attacks successfully. He said no damage was done to the prisons, even as the situation was now under control.

The police boss, however, revealed that the command lost a police Sergeant just as another sergeant sustained injuries.