Personnel from the Department of State Services (DSS) conducted a raid on Wednesday at the residence of a suspected hardened terrorist in the Gbeganu area, a suburb of Minna, Niger State.

The raid, which took place during the daytime, caused fear among residents in the area.

According to sources familiar with the operation, this was the third raid in less than four years in the neighbouring areas of Nkangbe and Gbeganu, both in Bosso Local Government Area. The suspect targeted in this raid was allegedly a storekeeper for a terrorist group, although specific details about the recovered weapons were not disclosed.

Residents informed Daily Trust that a substantial amount of cash, including dollars, was seized during the operation. The suspect had been known as a tricycle rider before the raid revealed his alleged involvement with terrorist activities.

Previous incidents include a similar raid in October 2023, where a suspected terrorist engaged security forces in a fierce gun battle before escaping, and in June 2021, when a house linked to a notorious kidnapper was demolished after weapons were found in a raid.

The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that they had no information regarding the recent raid when contacted. (Text, excluding headline: Daily Trust)