21 Suspected Boko Haram Terrorist Killed In Attempted Jailbreak In Nigeria
https://nigeriaafrica1.blogspot.com/2014/03/21-suspected-boko-haram-terrorist.html
Nigeria’s secret police said on Sunday that 21 detainees died during an attempted escape from custody at its headquarters, with unconfirmed reports that Boko Haram militants were involved.
A security breach at the facility in Abuja, particularly by the feared Islamists, would be an embarrassment for the government and raise fresh questions about its ability to tackle the extremists.
But there was no official confirmation of the involvement of the group, which has been waging an increasingly violent insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast this year.
Marilyn Ogar, spokeswoman for the Department of State Services (DSS) – Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency – said only that detainees had died during the attempt.
“It has been established that 18 casualties were recorded, while two service personnel sustained serious injuries,” she said in an emailed statement.
“Three other detainees who sustained gunshot injuries during the incident have also died. Meanwhile, (an) investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the immediate and remote causes.”
Fears of outside help: Ogar had said earlier that the incident happened at 7:15 am when one of its officers went to give the detainees food.“One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff,” she said.
“His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility who fired some shots to warn and deter others.” No details were provided on the number of inmates involved nor the reason for their detention.
There was no explanation either about how exactly the 21 died.
But Ogar indicated they acted in case the detainees had outside help, as roads leading to the compound were cordoned off “to prevent possible assistance from external collaborators”.
The DSS headquarters are near the presidential villa and nearby residents reported hearing gunfire on Sunday morning.
President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, had downplayed the incident, writing on Twitter that the head of state’s residence was not affected and there was “no cause for alarm”.
“What happened at the SSS HQs has nothing to do with the (Presidential) Villa. President Jonathan is safe & well. Thank you for your concern & support,” he added.
The attempted break-out, especially if Boko Haram suspects were involved, will do little to instil confidence in the government’s security operations.
The government has previously been criticised for relying too heavily on conventional military means to tackling an enemy fighting a guerrilla war.
But there was no official confirmation of the involvement of the group, which has been waging an increasingly violent insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast this year.
Marilyn Ogar, spokeswoman for the Department of State Services (DSS) – Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency – said only that detainees had died during the attempt.
“It has been established that 18 casualties were recorded, while two service personnel sustained serious injuries,” she said in an emailed statement.
“Three other detainees who sustained gunshot injuries during the incident have also died. Meanwhile, (an) investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the immediate and remote causes.”
Fears of outside help: Ogar had said earlier that the incident happened at 7:15 am when one of its officers went to give the detainees food.“One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff,” she said.
“His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility who fired some shots to warn and deter others.” No details were provided on the number of inmates involved nor the reason for their detention.
There was no explanation either about how exactly the 21 died.
But Ogar indicated they acted in case the detainees had outside help, as roads leading to the compound were cordoned off “to prevent possible assistance from external collaborators”.
The DSS headquarters are near the presidential villa and nearby residents reported hearing gunfire on Sunday morning.
President Goodluck Jonathan’s spokesman, Reuben Abati, had downplayed the incident, writing on Twitter that the head of state’s residence was not affected and there was “no cause for alarm”.
“What happened at the SSS HQs has nothing to do with the (Presidential) Villa. President Jonathan is safe & well. Thank you for your concern & support,” he added.
The attempted break-out, especially if Boko Haram suspects were involved, will do little to instil confidence in the government’s security operations.
The government has previously been criticised for relying too heavily on conventional military means to tackling an enemy fighting a guerrilla war.
