How Abducted German Was Killed in Kano Crossfire

Edger Fritz-abducted and killed.

More facts emerged last night on the circumstances that led to the killing of an abducted German, Mr. Raupach Fritz Edgar, in a crossfire between security operatives and his abductors at the Kano hide-out of the terrorists.

Apart from Edgar, who was kidnapped in Kano on January 26 by the terrorists, four other persons lost their lives in the shoot-out.

THISDAY checks revealed that the German, who was an engineer on the employ of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company Ltd, might have been hurriedly killed by the terrorists who had fallen under a heavy bombardment of the security forces that had traced them to their hideout at the Danbare Quarters, opposite Bayero University Kano (BUK).

“Upon search of the premises, the security forces found the handcuffed, gruesomely murdered corpse of an expatriate, later identified as the German national, Mr. Edgar, who was kidnapped since January 26, 2012 along Zaria bye-pass, Kano. The German was apparently killed by the terrorists on noticing the security forces,” spokesman of the Joint military Rask Force (JTF), Lt. Ikedichi Iweha, said.

It was further gathered that the terrorists, who were holding their “Sura Council” meeting (described as the highest decision-making organ) that had in attendance – the commanders and strategists – had their gathering cut short, when the security operatives swooped on them.

It was also learnt that, on seeing the military operatives, the terrorists opened fire that triggered what a source called an “equally high-calibre” response of fire by the operatives.

The JTF spokesman said in a press statement that: “At the early hours of this morning, Thursday, precisely at about 0635 hours, based on intelligence of an ongoing meeting of senior commanders of the terrorists elements, the JTF raided an enclave near Bayero University, Kano, new site, where the terrorists’ senior commanders were meeting.”

He further explained: “On sighting the security forces, the terrorist elements opened fire and threw improvised explosive devises (IEDs) on the security forces. The security forces responded immediately resulting in a gun duel that lasted for about 30 minutes. During the encounter five of the terrorists were killed.

“During a further search of the terrorists’ hideout, they recovered two AK- 47 rifles, huge quantity of ammunition, 36 hand grenade and improvised explosive devices stored by the terrorists for possible attacks against innocent persons and security personnel.”

A witness told THISDAY that sounds of heavy gunshots were heard in the area during the raid, while corpses of the killed terrorists were taken away in military vehicles.
The residence of the terrorists, which formed the operation ground of the gun duel, also attracted hundreds of people who had rushed there for an on-the-spot assessment or information on the attack.
Ibrahim Shuaibu-This Day