•Two others in Minna attack
From DESMOND MGBOH, Kano and AKIN ALOFETEKUN, Minna
Friday February 24, 2012
From DESMOND MGBOH, Kano and AKIN ALOFETEKUN, Minna
Friday February 24, 2012
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It was a black Thursday for the Police as Boko Haram killed six servicemen in Kano and Niger states.
The Islamist sect was even more daring as the members killed four policemen near the private residence of Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday.
For the second time in one week, the militia men struck in Minna, Niger State where the police force lost two officers on stop-and-search duty at the City Gate along Minna-Suleja Road in the state capital. The gunmen who were riding on a motorcycle, shot and killed the two police officers.
In Kano, witnesses said two of the policemen were killed after they had left their guard at a check-point along Lawan Danbazau Link, located a stone’s throw from the residence of the IGP. They were said to have gone to a nearby eatery to have their breakfast.
The witnesses said that the other two police officers were gunned down by their assailants somewhere behind the IGP’s residence. It is believed that they may have walked off their guards to ease themselves.
The only survivor of the onslaught was said to be a police Inspector, who was immediately rushed to a government hospital.
The militia men who may have been keeping an eye on their victims, emerged from nowhere on their motorbikes, opening fire on the officers at close range and sped.
They stole the officers’ rifles and ammunition. Their bodies have been deposited at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano.
A statement issued by the state Police Command, however, gave a near different account of the incident. The statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, an Assistant Superintendent, Magaji Musa Majia, said that only two officers were killed in the attack.
The statement reads: “Today, Thursday, 23rd February, 2012, at about 8.30 hrs, along BUK Road by Island after Gidan Murtala , unknown gunmen on four motorcycles attacked our policemen on foot patrol.
“As a result of the attack, two died on the spot, while two were injured and are now receiving treatment at a hospital”, said the statement. It noted that 15 suspects have been arrested after the area was combed by policemen.
Meanwhile in Minna, Boko Haram struck again, killing two policemen on stop and search duty at the City Gate, along Minna-Suleja Road.
Last week’s attack occurred at the M. I. Wushishi Estate, along Eastern Bypass in Niger State capital in which Boko Haram shot and killed three policemen, including an Inspector and a Sergeant.
Investigations revealed that yesterday’s attack at the City Gate to the state capital in Tunga area has heightened fears among the residents.
The policemen were killed by some fleeing gunmen at about 9:30pm at a point overlooking the highway.
Spokesman of the state Police Command, Richard Adamu Oguche, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), confirmed the attack, but declined further details.
“Please, I will call you back. I am going to see my Commissioner. Two of our men have just been killed at Tunga. I will call back to give details.
“The gunmen who rode on a motorcycle shot and killed two policemen watching over a highway and sped away,” Oguche said.
Sources said the gunmen were believed to be members of a gang that raided Kotonkarfi Prisons and freed 119 inmates in neighbouring Kogi State last week. Boko Haram claimed it staged the jail break to free seven of its detained members.
The Islamist sect was even more daring as the members killed four policemen near the private residence of Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday.
For the second time in one week, the militia men struck in Minna, Niger State where the police force lost two officers on stop-and-search duty at the City Gate along Minna-Suleja Road in the state capital. The gunmen who were riding on a motorcycle, shot and killed the two police officers.
In Kano, witnesses said two of the policemen were killed after they had left their guard at a check-point along Lawan Danbazau Link, located a stone’s throw from the residence of the IGP. They were said to have gone to a nearby eatery to have their breakfast.
The witnesses said that the other two police officers were gunned down by their assailants somewhere behind the IGP’s residence. It is believed that they may have walked off their guards to ease themselves.
The only survivor of the onslaught was said to be a police Inspector, who was immediately rushed to a government hospital.
The militia men who may have been keeping an eye on their victims, emerged from nowhere on their motorbikes, opening fire on the officers at close range and sped.
They stole the officers’ rifles and ammunition. Their bodies have been deposited at the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano.
A statement issued by the state Police Command, however, gave a near different account of the incident. The statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, an Assistant Superintendent, Magaji Musa Majia, said that only two officers were killed in the attack.
The statement reads: “Today, Thursday, 23rd February, 2012, at about 8.30 hrs, along BUK Road by Island after Gidan Murtala , unknown gunmen on four motorcycles attacked our policemen on foot patrol.
“As a result of the attack, two died on the spot, while two were injured and are now receiving treatment at a hospital”, said the statement. It noted that 15 suspects have been arrested after the area was combed by policemen.
Meanwhile in Minna, Boko Haram struck again, killing two policemen on stop and search duty at the City Gate, along Minna-Suleja Road.
Last week’s attack occurred at the M. I. Wushishi Estate, along Eastern Bypass in Niger State capital in which Boko Haram shot and killed three policemen, including an Inspector and a Sergeant.
Investigations revealed that yesterday’s attack at the City Gate to the state capital in Tunga area has heightened fears among the residents.
The policemen were killed by some fleeing gunmen at about 9:30pm at a point overlooking the highway.
Spokesman of the state Police Command, Richard Adamu Oguche, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), confirmed the attack, but declined further details.
“Please, I will call you back. I am going to see my Commissioner. Two of our men have just been killed at Tunga. I will call back to give details.
“The gunmen who rode on a motorcycle shot and killed two policemen watching over a highway and sped away,” Oguche said.
Sources said the gunmen were believed to be members of a gang that raided Kotonkarfi Prisons and freed 119 inmates in neighbouring Kogi State last week. Boko Haram claimed it staged the jail break to free seven of its detained members.
SOURCE: The Sun, 24 February 2012. http://sunnewsonline.com/
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