Following wide condemnation of the killing of nine people alleged to be Boko Haram members by the security officials last week in Abuja, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, has disclosed that the people killed were terrorists, contrary to reports that they were artisans and tricycle operators.

The Army Chief made this known 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 specialised operation. He said the operation was one out of many that his men have carried out to intercept series of purported attacks by the sect.

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.

In his own explanation, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Bala Mohammed, said the attack, which was coordinated by the Commander, Guards Brigade, was to intercept hidden improvised explosive devices (IED) in a cemetery.

He said 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 of 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.” He said.

Mohammed further said that his administration would sanction owners of uncompleted buildings in Abuja. He also lamented that series of legal constraints had been hampering the authorities on taking actions on the abandoned and undeveloped property.

“We, as an administration, are hamstrung and constrained because the legal system in the FCT is such that we do not control the Judiciary. We are impeded by so many litigation impeding our capacity to enforce building regulations.

“This has resulted in the incidence of double allocations and about 5000 cases were uncovered after a recent census conducted by the authorities.

“In consideration of the circumstance, therefore, the FCT administration is prompted to again reiterate the need to sanction owners of abandoned uncompleted buildings in the FCT where a number of criminal operations are hatched.”

“The administration has issued a directive to the Development Control Department to take stock of all abandoned buildings in the federal capital city, with a view of taking decisive steps to clear out these hideouts and squatters, settlements and the appropriate sanctions to be applied.

 “We will ensure that all buildings that have exceeded the two-year period approved for buildings are demolished.

“If we cannot demolish, we will make it a Police Post, this time, we will take a definite action,” he said.