Photo: Vanguard
The Nigerian government is opposing plans by the United States to include Boko Haram on its list of foreign terrorist organisations.
Unidentified gunmen in a commando style raid, attacked the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) head office in Abuja around 2 am on Monday morning and freed many suspected terrorists.
The SARS facility is one of the centres that Boko Haram suspects are held in Abuja.
When contacted, FCT Police Commissioner Aderenle Shinaba assured that he will soon brief the press about the details of the attack.
A SARS operative, who does not want his name mentioned told Daily Trust that the attack started around 2 o’clock in the morning, and the attackers succeeded in freeing some of the suspects held at their detention facility.
He also told Daily Trust that although he could not ascertain the number of the attackers, two police officers were killed in a confrontation with the gun men.
He further explained that in the ensuing gun battle some of the freed suspects were recaptured while a few others escaped.
However, unofficial sources claim that over 10 people were killed in the attack and about 150 suspected terrorist incarcerated at the facility were freed, and are presently at large.
The SARS headquarters, along Apo Highway in Abuja, has since been re-fortified with detachments of mobile police men manning the front gate of the building and dotted all around the perimeter fencing of the facility.
Two Armored police vehicles have also been deployed to add more fire power to the fortification.