Segun Awofadeji
3 April 2011
There was tension in Bauchi State as two people were feared killed, while a number of houses were burnt down, when armed men, yet to be identified, stormed three villages in Bogoro Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Saturday.
The attack also came on a day unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the dreaded Islamic militant, Boko Haram, attacked the Dutsen-Tanshi Police station within Bauchi metropolis, injuring two policemen on duty and bringing down a section of the station in the process.
Confirming the two incidents, Bauchi State Police Command disclosed that the gun men who attacked the Police Station about 8pm Friday fired sporadically at the building and threw explosives believed to be bombs at the building which led to it caving in and falling on motorcycles parked around the area by residents.
State Police PRO, Alhaji Mohammed Barau, at a press briefing at the police headquarters Saturday, said “the section affected had the office of the DPO, that of the DCO as well as the records office, two of our policemen on duty were wounded, taken to the hospital, treated and have been discharged.”
According to him, “we have since commenced investigations to fish out the attackers and by the grace of God we will soon get to them and will bring them to book in accordance with the relevant laws of the land. We are aware that crime is inevitable in any society but we are proactive to ensure a hitch-free election in all parts of the state which result will be credible and acceptable by all.”
Already, there is anxiety and tension in Bauchi metropolis following the Boko Haram incident, which caught the residents unaware.
However, armed and battle ready soldiers, mobile policemen and SSS operatives can be seen patrolling the major streets in the state capital, especially the black spots notorious for crisis.
On the attack on the three villages the police command said that it happened about 2am Saturday when yet to be identified night marauders invaded the villages and set houses on fire adding that, “we are yet to ascertain the level of destruction and casualties but it happened, as soon as we have more details we will let you have same.”
The villages attacked, according to Mr. Bukata Zhadi, Secretary of the Zaar Elders and Traditional Rulers Forum, were, Gwaska-Bom, Gujir and Namu all in Bogoro Local Govenroment Area of the state.
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