Gunmen attack police station, kill one in Maiduguri

Posted by admin Borno, State News Saturday, March 10th, 2012

Maiduguri – Suspected Boko Haram militants on Friday set ablaze the Bulabulim Ngarnam Police Station in Maiduguri, killing at least one person.

Witnesses told newsmen in Maiduguri that the attackers raided the station around 6.30p.m.and went ahead to set fire on the building.

“We were rushing to beat the 7p.m. curfew when we saw a group carrying jerry-cans and other items attacking the station.

“We all took to our heels to avoid danger but on reaching home we heard explosions and later gunshots around the station,” Malam Abba Idris, a witness said.

Idris said that the residents discovered in the morning that the station had been completely razed.

Mr Samuel Tizhe, the Public Relations’ Officer of the Police Command in Borno confirmed the incident.

“It is true that the station was attacked, it is really a sad thing, the place was set ablaze in the evening but the police will not relent in its efforts to safeguard the lives and property of the citizenry,” Tizhe said.

He said one person was killed in the attack but refused to disclose the identity of the victim.

“I said one person was killed that is all, manhunt and investigations to get the attackers is in progress please,” Tizhe said.

Also an unnamed local Malam (religious teacher) was shot by a group of gunmen in Mashimary, near Ruwan Zafi about the same time.

Neighbours told newsmen that the deceased was shot while preparing for the Magrib prayers in a nearby mosque.

“The late Malam had left the town with his family some months back after receiving a letter from the Boko Haram sect that they were after him.

“He came back on Friday to attend a wedding slated for Saturday in town, they did not waste time in shooting him few minutes after his arrival,” Malam Kaka Fannami, a neigbhour said.

Tizhe, the police spokesman, said he had yet to get details of the incident.

“There are so many killings going on in town. My brother, it is not always that the police get the report.

“Some families even decide to bury the victims quietly without letting the police know,” he said.(NAN)

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