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SARS attack: Police confirm 2 cops killed, 2 attackers captured

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The  Nigeria Police has confirmed that two police officers lost their lives  in the early morning attack launched against the Special Anti Robbery  Squad Headquarters in Abuja.
A statement signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank E. Mba, also confirmed that two of the attackers were arrested.
The police however stated that no suspect being held for any terror related charge escaped.
“In  the early hours of today, 26th November, 2012, at about 2am, unknown  gunmen in large number attacked the premises of the Special Anti-Robbery  Squad (SARS) of the Federal Territory Police Command. Policemen on duty  responded swiftly and engaged the gunmen in a gun battle that lasted  for some minutes, at the end of which the gunmen were successfully  repelled,” the statement said.
“However, in the confusion that  ensued, about 30 suspects in the detention facilities of SARS broke out  of the cells and attempted to escape.  Tactical and coordinated efforts  to re-arrest the fleeing suspects yielded instant result. So far, twenty  five (25) of the suspects have been re-arrested, while five (5)  suspects originally being held in relation to robbery related offences  are currently at large.  Two (2) Policemen died during the operation  while two (2) of the attackers have been arrested,” he said.
The  statement did not say how the inmates were able to break out on their  own. Tight security is still being maintained around the facility and no   journalists have been allowed in for independent verification. A photo  journalist with the Daily Independent was arrested and detained briefly  for attempting to take pictures outside the premises.
“It needs  to be emphasized here that no suspect held for terror related charges,  escaped from SARS detention facilities.  No explosive or IED-related  materials were used in the botched attack.
“Meanwhile, the  Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni has  personally visited the scene of the incident to assess the situation.   He has equally ordered a high-powered investigative panel headed by a  Senior Police Officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the  incidence.
“Similarly, the IGP has ordered water-tight  security around all government and Police related facilities  nationwide,” the statement added.

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Earlier in the morning,  Daily Trust had reported that unidentified gun men 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. However that  press briefing was canceleed because it was later relayed that the SARS  was outside his purview and in its place, the statement above was issued  from Force HQ.
A SARS operative, who did not want his name  mentioned had 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.

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Source: Daily Trust

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