JTF arrest mastermind of Ado Bayero attack

Operatives of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in Kano, in the wee hours of yesterday, apprehended the mastermind of the deadly attack on the Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero. A security source who declined identification told our correspondent that the suspect identified only with his nickname ‘Babawo’, was arrested in Chiranchi in Dorayi quarters following a tip-off by a resident of the area. Our source said a combined team of mainly men of the Department of State Security (DSS) and soldiers stormed the area and cordoned it off, blocking access in and out of the place.

He added that the attack was planned and hatched in Babawo’s residence immediately he was arrested a search was conducted in the house and four AK 47 rifles were recovered with several live ammunitions. The operation that led to the arrest of Babawo equally led to the arrest of four other suspects within 24 hours among them a student of Bayero University Kano who was said to have participated in the attack while another suspect was picked around Yankaba area, adding that in all, five persons are cooling their feet in detention in connection with the attack.

Our correspondent further gathered that the security agents are keeping the arrests close to their chest to avoid the rest of the members of the gang from fleeing.
It would be recalled that Bayero was attacked by unknown gunmen and five persons were killed in his entourage. Although the emir escaped unhurt, he is currently receiving medical attention in London.
However, efforts to confirm the story were not successful as calls put to the JTF spokesman, Captain Ikedichi Iweha were not answered. In the same vein, the Kano state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris didn’t respond to phone calls from our reporter.