NIGERIA: 20 Boko Haram suspects killed in Abuja DSS attack: No fewer than 20 Boko Haram detainees have been shot dead in a shootout that ensued this morning at the Department of State Security Service in the Asokoro a district of Abuja. Sunnewsonline learnt that the shootout 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. Trouble started around 6am during the normal handing over and taking over of duties by DSS detainees’ handlers. A source told sunnewsonline that as soon as one handler opened the gate leading to the cell where the detainees were kept, ten suspected terrorists rushed out, snatched the handler’s rifle and shoot at him. The source said that some DSS operatives are reported to have retreated so as not to be killed by the rampaging Boko Haram terrorists. The source said after they shot the first handler, the ten 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 rampage. 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 fatal state but had not died. It was learnt that the DSS, which is uncomfortable by the incident, had 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. “The whole episode occurred around 6:30 am and 7am on Sunday during the normal handing over and takeover 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 source said. The uprising led to the deployment of soldiers to the DSS headquarters and around the Presidential Villa. Commuters and vehicles passing through the Aso a Drive, were searched by armed soldiers and DSS operatives. The Department of State Services (DSS), in a statement on Sunday morning said it foiled an attempted jail break at its headquarters in Abuja. The statement, which was signed by Marilyn Ogar, the Deputy Director, Public Relations, DSS, said that the attempt occurred at about 7.15 a.m. Ogar said that “this was when the service suspect handler went to the detention facility within the headquarters to feed suspects. “One of the suspects attempted to disarm the handler by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff. “The suspect’s attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility, who fired some shots to warn and deter others.’’ She explained that the gun shots attracted the attention of the military “with whom we have an understanding of mutual assistance in the event of any threat. “The Army immediately deployed a team to reinforce our perimeter guards to forestall any external collaborators. “The situation has since been brought under control,’’ Ogar said, adding that further details would be communicated. (NAN)
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:17:47 +0000
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