*21 terrorists killed, two
operatives injured
By Soni Daniel, Emma Ujah, Uduma
Kalu, Kingsley Omonobi, Ben Agande & Peter Duru
ABUJA— The Department of State
Service, DSS , confirmed, yesterday, that 21 Boko Haram suspects were killed in
a shoot-out at its detention centre between its operatives and the sect
members.
DSS said two of its operatives sustained serious injuries.
DSS said two of its operatives sustained serious injuries.
The detained terrorists reportedly
over-powered the guards, shot several operatives and attempted to stage a
daring escape from detention.
There were, however, different
accounts on how the attempted jailbreak was carried out.
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, denied reports, yesterday, that President Goodluck Jonathan was whisked away during the attempted jailbreak and shootout.
Meanwhile, Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, denied reports, yesterday, that President Goodluck Jonathan was whisked away during the attempted jailbreak and shootout.
How B’Haram overpowered DSS
operative
According to a security source, one of the Boko Haram members told one of the DSS guards that he was pressed and needed to go to the toilet. The sect member’s request was obliged without being leg-chained. On getting to the toilet and finding the door locked, he applied force and uprooted the toilet seat unknown to the operative who was standing outside.
According to a security source, one of the Boko Haram members told one of the DSS guards that he was pressed and needed to go to the toilet. The sect member’s request was obliged without being leg-chained. On getting to the toilet and finding the door locked, he applied force and uprooted the toilet seat unknown to the operative who was standing outside.
When the detainee knocked the door
to indicate that he had finished, the DSS the operative opened the door, only to
have his head smashed with the heavy toilet seat.
The operative was said to have collapsed. The sect member then collected the gun of the operative, went to the cell entrance and opened fire on the other operatives who were caught off-guard and set free many of his colleagues.
The operative was said to have collapsed. The sect member then collected the gun of the operative, went to the cell entrance and opened fire on the other operatives who were caught off-guard and set free many of his colleagues.
The source said it was the shooting
at the DSS centre that alerted other operatives who mobilised to take on the
sect members, leading to serious shoot-out between the terrorists and the
operatives for over an hour before security was re-enforced and soldiers
drafted to the scene.
Soldiers called in to stop the
rampaging Boko Haram detainees, Sunday morning.
Another account
Another account of the incident had it that trouble started around 6 a.m. during the normal handing and taking over of duties by DSS detainees’ handlers.
Another account of the incident had it that trouble started around 6 a.m. during the normal handing and taking over of duties by DSS detainees’ handlers.
Vanguard learnt that the shoot-out
erupted when some of the suspected terrorists attempted to free their members
and leave the detention facility, which is by the precincts of the Presidential
Villa.
A competent source said as soon as
one handler opened the gate leading to the cell where the detainees were being
kept, 10 suspected terrorists rushed out, snatched the handler’s rifle and used
it to shoot at him.
Alerted by the attack, some DSS
handlers were reported to have retreated so as not to be killed by the
rampaging suspected terrorists. The source said after shooting the first
handler, the 10 suspected terrorists began to escape into different locations
within the massive security compound.
Alarmed by the effrontery of the
suspected terrorists, the DSS quickly deployed its men to quell the uprising,
resulting in heavy shooting that claimed the lives of some of the suspects.
Many DSS operatives and Boko Haram
detainees were also injured in the ensuing stampede.
The shot DSS operative, whose name
could not be immediately ascertained, was immediately rushed to an undisclosed
hospital. A source said the shot operative was in a critical condition but had
not died.
DSS commences probe
It was learnt that the DSS, which is highly embarrassed by the incident, has begun investigation into why the detainees handler decided to go and open the cell gate alone without being accompanied by others, as is the standard practice.
It was learnt that the DSS, which is highly embarrassed by the incident, has begun investigation into why the detainees handler decided to go and open the cell gate alone without being accompanied by others, as is the standard practice.
According to the source, “the whole
episode occurred between 6:30 am and 7am on Sunday during the normal hand-over
and take-over of detainees.
“The standard rule is that you
cannot go alone to open the gate leading to the detainees’ cell but as soon as
the man opened the gate, he was attacked and he tried to run away and was shot.
The shot operative has been taken to hospital.”
The uprising led to the deployment of soldiers to the DSS Headquarters and around the Presidential Villa.
The uprising led to the deployment of soldiers to the DSS Headquarters and around the Presidential Villa.
Situation under control —DSS
Spokeswoman for the DSS, Marylyn Ogar, confirmed the attempted jailbreak which she said had been stalled by security agents.
Spokeswoman for the DSS, Marylyn Ogar, confirmed the attempted jailbreak which she said had been stalled by security agents.
She said: “What happened was that
the suspects’ handler went to feed the detainees but suddenly they attacked him
with their handcuffs, disarmed him and started shooting.”
Soldiers called in to stop the
rampaging Boko Haram detainees, Sunday morning.
Another account
Another account of the incident had it that trouble started around 6 a.m. during the normal handing and taking over of duties by DSS detainees’ handlers.
Another account of the incident had it that trouble started around 6 a.m. during the normal handing and taking over of duties by DSS detainees’ handlers.
Vanguard learnt that the shoot-out
erupted when some of the suspected terrorists attempted to free their members
and leave the detention facility, which is by the precincts of the Presidential
Villa.
A competent source said as soon as
one handler opened the gate leading to the cell where the detainees were being
kept, 10 suspected terrorists rushed out, snatched the handler’s rifle and used
it to shoot at him.
Alerted by the attack, some DSS
handlers were reported to have retreated so as not to be killed by the
rampaging suspected terrorists. The source said after shooting the first
handler, the 10 suspected terrorists began to escape into different locations
within the massive security compound.
Alarmed by the effrontery of the
suspected terrorists, the DSS quickly deployed its men to quell the uprising,
resulting in heavy shooting that claimed the lives of some of the suspects.
Many DSS operatives and Boko Haram
detainees were also injured in the ensuing stampede.
The shot DSS operative, whose name
could not be immediately ascertained, was immediately rushed to an undisclosed
hospital. A source said the shot operative was in a critical condition but had
not died.
DSS commences probe
It was learnt that the DSS, which is highly embarrassed by the incident, has begun investigation into why the detainees handler decided to go and open the cell gate alone without being accompanied by others, as is the standard practice.
It was learnt that the DSS, which is highly embarrassed by the incident, has begun investigation into why the detainees handler decided to go and open the cell gate alone without being accompanied by others, as is the standard practice.
According to the source, “the whole
episode occurred between 6:30 am and 7am on Sunday during the normal hand-over
and take-over of detainees.
“The standard rule is that you
cannot go alone to open the gate leading to the detainees’ cell but as soon as
the man opened the gate, he was attacked and he tried to run away and was shot.
The shot operative has been taken to hospital.”
The uprising led to the deployment of soldiers to the DSS Headquarters and around the Presidential Villa.
The uprising led to the deployment of soldiers to the DSS Headquarters and around the Presidential Villa.
Situation under control —DSS
Spokeswoman for the DSS, Marylyn Ogar, confirmed the attempted jailbreak which she said had been stalled by security agents.
Spokeswoman for the DSS, Marylyn Ogar, confirmed the attempted jailbreak which she said had been stalled by security agents.
She said: “What happened was that
the suspects’ handler went to feed the detainees but suddenly they attacked him
with their handcuffs, disarmed him and started shooting.”
DSS spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar
There was an increased helicopter
patrol of Abuja airspace especially the three arms zone where the Presidential
area is located.
Jonathan safe and well —Presidency
Speaking with Voice of America, VOA, yesterday, Abati who was reacting to eyewitness account suggesting that Jonathan was whisked away said: “It was an attempted jailbreak. Those arrested tried to make an attempt to escape, but the situation was immediately and effectively brought under control. We will want to reassure everyone that really there is no cause for alarm.
Speaking with Voice of America, VOA, yesterday, Abati who was reacting to eyewitness account suggesting that Jonathan was whisked away said: “It was an attempted jailbreak. Those arrested tried to make an attempt to escape, but the situation was immediately and effectively brought under control. We will want to reassure everyone that really there is no cause for alarm.
Some Nigerians expressed worry
following the gunshots, since the DSS headquarters building is near the
presidential villa.
According to Abati, “The president is safe and well, and there is no cause for alarm. There are some persons who are trying to put up negative information trying to suggest that the president was whisked away. The truth of the matter is that there was no attack on the Presidential Villa.”
According to Abati, “The president is safe and well, and there is no cause for alarm. There are some persons who are trying to put up negative information trying to suggest that the president was whisked away. The truth of the matter is that there was no attack on the Presidential Villa.”
FG determined to end security
challenges — Jonathan
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, weekend, assured that the Federal Government had taken adequate measures to arrest the security challenges facing the country.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan, weekend, assured that the Federal Government had taken adequate measures to arrest the security challenges facing the country.
The President, who was
represented by the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, also acknowledged
the incessant bloody conflict between Benue farmers and suspected Fulani
herders, assured that the crisis will soon come to an end.
He spoke in Makurdi at the wedding
ceremony/reception of the son of the Minister of State for Trade and Investment
and Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom.
UK cautions citizens in Abuja
Meantime, the UK Foreign Office has advised British citizens in Abuja to maintain “heightened vigilance.”
The revised travel alert on Nigeria was posted on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website on Sunday.
Meantime, the UK Foreign Office has advised British citizens in Abuja to maintain “heightened vigilance.”
The revised travel alert on Nigeria was posted on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website on Sunday.
The travel alert advised British
citizens to be especially vigilant “should they need to go to Asokoro or The
Three Arms Zone in Abuja.”
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