Operatives of the Department of State Services in Niger State have raided the home of a suspected terrorist in Kulobe community, Gbeganu area of Minna, and recovered a large cache of arms.
The raid took place on Tuesday following a tip-off from neighbours. The suspect was said to have seen the operatives coming to his house through his CCTV device and engaged them in a gun duel.
He used a rocket launcher to bring down part of the fence of his house through which he escaped, leaving behind his wife and children, who were taken into custody.
Security sources said over 150 AK-47 rifles, explosives, a rocket launcher, anti-aircraft rifles, and over 3000 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the house.
Residents of the community confirmed that they heard the sound of gunfire and the rocket launcher when it was fired. They said they were still in shock from the incident.
Some houses close to the suspect’s residence had cracked windows, doors, roofing sheets, and walls, indicating the impact of the shootout. Empty bullet canisters were also seen littered around the neighbourhood.
A watchman living next door, Mubarak Abubakar, was hit by a stray bullet and is currently receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.
