Nigerian police raid homes for extremists

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KANO, Nigeria, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- A special military unit searching for members of the extremist group Boko Haram raided three areas in the northern Nigerian city of Kano, officials said.

The raids, conducted shortly after early morning prayers Tuesday, left thousands of residents waiting in the mosques because they were unable to return to their homes, the Nigerian newspaper Leadership reported.

The house-to-house searches began late Monday night by forces of the Joint Task Force, which was acting on information Boko Haram could be planning attacks ahead of the Eid-el-fitr Sallah Muslim religious celebration.

Lt. Ikedechi Iweha, a JTF spokesman, said the military unit was "in full control" of the areas. He said the raids would continue.

Three people were arrested. The searches uncovered a bomb factory, 33 improvised explosive devices and more than 739 rounds of ammunition.

In a similar raid in Maiduguri, in Borno state, JTF troops recovered large arms and ammunition.