Apo killing: “They were terrorists, not squatters” – Army Chief insists

Despite reports saying that the 9 squatters
killed in Abuja were innocent citizens, the
army has insisted that they were terrorists.
This was revealed by the Chief of Army
Staff, Azubuike Ihejirika, who said that the
squatters found in an uncompleted
building in the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) were suspected terrorists who were
making plans to bomb prominent areas of
the FCT.
According to reports , the victims, who
residents and rights activists claimed were
artisans and tricycle operators, were killed
in the building in the Apo environs of
Abuja. One died in the hospital, raising the
toll to 10. No fewer than 13 others were
injured in the assault.
Gen. Ihejirika got support from Minister of
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Bala
Mohammed. The two officials spoke at a
meeting with the House of Representatives
Committee on National Security and
Intelligence.
Gen. Ihejirika told the committee that the
police were left out of the action because it
was a specialized operation.
Besides, the Army boss said the operation
was not the first of its kind as his men have
succeeded in intercepting several intended
terrorist attacks on the FCT.
According to him, there was information
that a terrorist group was hiding explosives
around Apo. This, he said, was thoroughly
investigated and a move to remove the
explosives was launched.
Mohammed corroborated Gen, Ihejirika’s
account. He said the attack, which was
coordinated by the Commander, Guards
Brigade, was to intercept hidden
improvised explosive devices (IED) in a
cemetery.
According to Mohammed, there was
planned operation, which he described as
an isolated terrorist operation to bomb
some critical installations in the FCT, such
as the Radio House, shopping malls as well
as churches on September 22.
He said: “It is imperative to mention here
that the military, in collaboration with other
security agencies have been working
assiduously round the clock to ensure the
containment of the heinous activities of the
men f the underworld and particularly the
Boko Haram in the FCT.
“The intelligence information available to
the Guards Brigade confirmed that a
number of IEDs to be used for the Sunday
operation were buried in a cemetery in Apo
area.
“The need to act swiftly to recover the
explosive devices was necessary, hence the
operation.
According to the minister, the intention was
not to kill but to remove the improvised
explosives devices.
“According to the security agencies, on
approaching the identified uncompleted
building which was claimed to harbour the
explosives.
“The security operatives were fired at,
which led to exchange of fire and the
resultant casualties.
“As a civil and highly responsible
administration, our immediate concern was
how to manage the collateral damage that
ensued from this genuinely intended
operation.
“It is highly probable that some innocent
persons might have been injured, which
again highlights the danger of living with
people unknown to you.”
Mohammed said as a fallout of the
incident, owners of abandoned
uncompleted buildings in the FCT would be
sanctioned.
The minister also debunked claims that the
twin duplex where the shooting took place
was owned by a retired Army officer.
He said the plot was allocated in 2009 to
Adunni Oluwola Salisu who, according to
him got the approval to develop the
property located off Abba Kyari Close, Apo
Legislative Quarters Zone E.
The Bello Mutawalle-led Committee called
for the demolition of the uncompleted twin
duplex where the killing took place. But
some members of the committee called for
caution and urged the committee to defer
its decision and allow the Senate to
conclude its into the matter.