Nigeria Police "Repel" Hoodlums Attack In Daura, Katsina State

There are conflicting reports emanating from Daura, Katsina State, about the overnight confrontation there between security forces and Boko Haram sect members, with the latest saying that, following an “exceptional display of courage and gallantry,” repelled the armed militants, killing five of them.  

In an earlier report today, SaharaReporters learned that the confrontation was between soldiers and the militants, with the military suffering three casualties as against 10 for the militants.  The soldiers recovered from the militants weapons and money.  

The latest police statement does not, however, does not mention the involvement of any soldiers in the Thursday night mayhem, nor the recovery of vast sums of money, as if the accounts are of two different cities or battles.

 “After a long gun battle with the hoodlums, the criminals were over-powered by the Police,” he said.  “The exceptional display of courage and gallantry by the Policemen resulted in the death of five (5) of the heavily armed gang and the inflicting of severe injuries on dozens of others who managed to escape with bullet wounds, abandoning their weapons in the process.   Weapons and other items recovered by the Police from the gang included: twelve (12) AK-47 rifles, fifteen (15) AK 47 magazines, fifteen (15) Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), as well as two vehicles (a Golf and a Toyota saloon car) used by the hoodlums as operational vehicles.”

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, has commended the efforts of the Katsina State Police Command for repelling and foiling the criminal attacks, Mba added, and enjoined his men not to relent in their efforts at combating all forms of crime and criminality until the battle against terrorism is won.  

Full text of the statement:

PRESS RELEASE

NIGERIA POLICE REPEL HOODLUMS’ ATTACK IN KATSINA

·         Kill five (5), recover 12 AK 47 rifles, 15 AK 47 magazines, 15 IEDs and vehicles used by the hoodlums

The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, in the early hours of today, 17th May, 2013, in Katsina State, successfully repelled attacks from a group of armed hoodlums who had besieged the ancient town of Daura, carrying out coordinated attacks on police facilities and banks.

After a long gun battle with the hoodlums, the criminals were over-powered by the Police. The exceptional display of courage and gallantry by the Policemen resulted in the death of five (5) of the heavily armed gang and the inflicting of severe injuries on dozens of others who managed to escape with bullet wounds, abandoning their weapons in the process.   

Weapons and other items recovered by the Police from the gang included: twelve (12) AK-47 rifles, fifteen (15) AK 47 magazines, fifteen (15) Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), as well as two vehicles (a Golf and a Toyota saloon car) used by the hoodlums as operational vehicles.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, has commended the efforts of the Katsina State Police Command for repelling and foiling the criminal attacks. He enjoined the Nigeria Police officers not to relent in their efforts at combating all forms of crime and criminality, until the battle against terrorism is won.  

While assuring Nigerians of the readiness of the Force to live up to its constitutional responsibility of ensuring the safety of the citizenry, the IGP urged the public to promptly report any suspicious movement to the Police and other sister security agencies.

 Investigation into the incident has since commenced.

 
CSP FRANK E. MBA

DEPUTY FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FOR: FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,

FORCE HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA