Nigeria - JTF Soldier, 4 Others Feared Killed In Borno Shooting
https://nigeriaafrica1.blogspot.com/2013/03/nigeria-jtf-soldier-4-others-feared.html
Pandemonium Thursday erupted in the ancient town of Biu, one of the largest towns in Borno State as some gunmen went wild engaging security operatives in gun duel that left five persons dead.
According to eyewitnesses, those that were left dead include a security personnel, two gunmen and some innocent civilians which were caught in the crossfire.
It was also gathered that several houses, shops and vehicles were set ablaze.
Biu is about 185 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.
It was gathered that the hoodlums armed with sophisticated weapons had stormed a Coca Cola shop/Depot at the Abba Liman Shopping Complex within the heart of the town and collected an unspecified amount of money, but in the process of escaping, they encountered some security operatives believed to be soldiers which they engaged in a gun battle.
A resident of the town, said when the hoodlums got wind of the security operatives, they opened fire which led to the death of a soldier.
The soldiers who subsequently exchanged fire with the hoodlums, led to the killing of two of the gunmen and innocent civilians who were caught by stray bullets.
He said: “When I was running for safety, I saw a dead body of the soldier in military uniform, and some other dead bodies suspected to be those among the gunmen and civilians who were caught up in the gun battle, I also saw some houses, shops being consumed by flame," he stated.
When contacted for confirmation, the mobile phone lines of the Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Gideon Jubrin, were not reachable as at the time of going to press.
It was also gathered that several houses, shops and vehicles were set ablaze.
Biu is about 185 kilometres away from Maiduguri, the state capital.
It was gathered that the hoodlums armed with sophisticated weapons had stormed a Coca Cola shop/Depot at the Abba Liman Shopping Complex within the heart of the town and collected an unspecified amount of money, but in the process of escaping, they encountered some security operatives believed to be soldiers which they engaged in a gun battle.
A resident of the town, said when the hoodlums got wind of the security operatives, they opened fire which led to the death of a soldier.
The soldiers who subsequently exchanged fire with the hoodlums, led to the killing of two of the gunmen and innocent civilians who were caught by stray bullets.
He said: “When I was running for safety, I saw a dead body of the soldier in military uniform, and some other dead bodies suspected to be those among the gunmen and civilians who were caught up in the gun battle, I also saw some houses, shops being consumed by flame," he stated.
When contacted for confirmation, the mobile phone lines of the Joint Task Force (JTF) spokesman, Lt. Col. Sagir Musa and the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Gideon Jubrin, were not reachable as at the time of going to press.
