A suspected member of the Boko Haram sect engaged security operatives in a gun battle during the early hours of Tuesday in Minna, the capital of Niger State.
A night watchman from a neighboring house, Mubarak Abubakar, was unfortunately hit by a stray bullet and is currently receiving medical treatment at the emergency unit of the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.
According to Daily Post, the security operatives had launched an operation at the Gebganu Area of Minna, where a suspected terrorist house was located.
The suspect had been on the watchlist of security operatives for some time and had purchased the house two years ago.
The security operatives recovered no fewer than 150 AK47 rifles, about 3, 000 live ammunition, explosives, a rocket launcher, and an Anti-aircraft rifle from the suspect’s house.
The aftermath of the gun battle revealed the extent of destruction, with bullets piercing doors, walls, and windows, and part of the suspect’s two-bedroom flat being brought down due to the severity of the exchange.
Residents also narrated the intense gun battle lasted for hours as the suspect fiercely exchanged fire with the security operatives before managing to escape.
In his escape attempt, the suspect used a rocket launcher to bring down part of the fence surrounding his house.
However, security operatives were able to apprehend his wife and children.
Residents expressed their fear and distress from the intense gun battle, with one resident stating, “We didn’t sleep last night. The sound of the guns between the suspect and security operatives was too heavy; my bed and the ceiling of my house were shaking. They sounded like bombs. The security operatives passed through the front of our house when they were going, but we didn’t know what they were going to do until we heard the sound of a gun.”
As of now, there has been no official statement from the police or the state government regarding the operation.
