Suspected Boko Haram kills security operative in Nigeria

Suspected Boko Haram militants killed a security operative at Ungwan Keke area of central north Nigeria's Kaduna State on Sunday after a gun battle with the Joint Security Operatives.

The two militants were said to be residing in the area where the security operatives raided.

But the two escaped after several hours of gun battle, an eyewitness said.

The eyewitness, a resident of the area, who did not want his names in print because of the sensitive nature of the matter, said the team of the security personnel raided the area at about 1 a.m. local time.

He said the sound of gun shots were heard all over the area.

He added that the sect members escaped after the gun battle, leaving a security operative dead.

The source, however, said the security operatives arrested wives of the suspected members of the sect.

Confirming the incident, the village head of the area, Suleiman Mohammed, said the villagers were woken up by the sporadic gun shots.

He added that the joint team of security operatives, comprising soldiers and the State Security Service (SSS) later ordered residents out of their houses to avoid collateral damages.

The building where the Boko Haram suspects reside were in complete shamble, the eyewitness further said.

Efforts to reach the military authority in Kaduna proved abortive as at the time of filing this report.