aharaReporters, New York

The Joint Task Force (JTF) in Nigeria’s troubled city of Maiduguri, claims it killed about 24 sect members of the militant Islamic sect, Boko Haram, following several blasts on Monday night.

Contrary to widespread speculation that civilians were killed, JTF asserted that there were no casualties on its side, nor were civilian lives lost.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, JTF said the militants used civilian residences and homes as launch areas for the attacks at different times.

“The JTF wishes to warn residents of the city to stop allowing their homes to be used as launch pads,” Lt. Col. Musa said.  “Any person caught will be dealt with, according to the law.”

Below is the text of the statement by Lt. Col. Sagir Musa, which was sent to newsmen:

 “Suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched attacks with rocket propellers, grenades and IEDs and gun fires at different locations in Maiduguri on Monday night. The locations are Zannari, Lagos Street and Gwange General Area.  They used civilian residences and homes as launch areas for the attacks at different times.  All the attacks were repelled, no soldier or civilian was killed.

"Twenty four suspected terrorists were killed.  The following items were recovered: one RPG tube, four RPG charges, one General Purpose Machine Gun, seven AK 47 rifles, one FNC rifle and 24 assorted magazines. Other are two pistols, IED materials, bows and arrows and cutlasses, among others.  The JTF wishes to warn residents of the city to stop allowing their homes to be used as launch pads. Any person caught will be dealt with, according to the law'
Sahara Reporters