21 killed in foiled SSS HQ jailbreak

Detainees attempted a daring jailbreak at the heavily-fortified State Security Service headquarters in Abuja yesterday, resulting in a shooting that left 21 people dead while two security personnel were injured.The men who tried to break free were thought to be Boko Haram suspects, though authorities did not make this clear.The incident began soon after 7am […]

Detainees attempted a daring jailbreak at the heavily-fortified State Security Service headquarters in Abuja yesterday, resulting in a shooting that left 21 people dead while two security personnel were injured.
The men who tried to break free were thought to be Boko Haram suspects, though authorities did not make this clear.
The incident began soon after 7am when a security man who went to the detention area to feed the suspects was attacked.
One of the detainees hit the guard at the back of his head with his handcuff, in an attempt to disarm him, according to SSS spokesperson Marilyn Ogar. She said this attracted attention of other guards who fired warning shots.
Sources in the security circles gave Daily Trust a slightly different account of events, saying that detainees actually succeeded in disarming the security man and many of them bolted out.
This set off what a security source called a ‘rapid response’ alert system, which prompted the military from the Brigade of Guards to rush and cordon off the area.
They fired at fleeing suspects, killing some and later recapturing others, a source said.
“The soldiers had orders not to let anyone escape,” the source added.
Residents reported heavy sound of gunfire in the area, which is just meters away from the perimeter fence of the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court.
Armored personnel carriers, as well as military helicopters, were also involved in the operation to bring the situation under control.
Later yesterday, in a third statement about the incident, Ogar said “it has been established that eighteen (18) casualties were recorded, while two (2) Service personnel sustained serious injuries. Three (3) other detainees who sustained gunshot injuries during the incident have also died.”
She did not make it clear if all the dead were detainees or if they include other persons.
“Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the immediate and remote causes,” Ogar added.
In an earlier statement, Ogar gave an account of the incident thus: “At 0715 hours, the Service suspect handler went to the detention facility within the Headquarters to feed the suspects.
“One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff. His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility who fired some shots to warn and deter others.
“The gun shots attracted the attention of the military with whom we have an understanding of mutual assistance in the event of any threat. The Army immediately deployed a team to reinforce our perimeter guards to forestall any external collaborators. The situation has since been brought under control.”
Residents of the high-brow Aso Drive neighborhood described the shooting that continued for hours as a “major battle”, and more than simply warning shots fired to deter restive detainees.
Former FCT minister Nasir el-Rufai posted this message on Twitter: “Exchange of gunfire still going on with helicopter gunship hovering over the Aso Drive neighbourhood of Maitama adjoining the SSS Headquarters. Whatever this is, it appears more serious than an attempted jailbreak claimed by the SSS.”
Former Aviation minister Femi Fani-Kayode, who also lives in the area, tweeted: “I live 50 metres away from the SSS headquarters and the Villa and what I witnessed with my eyes and heard this morning was a full scale battle.”
In a second statement on the incident, SSS spokesperson Ogar said roads that had earlier been blocked had been reopened after a thorough search of the neighbourhood.
“(We) wish to state that the roads leading to the office were cordoned-off to prevent possible assistance from external collaborators. During this period, the precinct of the office and adjoining neighborhoods were thoroughly searched,” she said.
Daily Trust learnt that several people seen around the SS headquarters area were arrested but later freed.
The shooting sparked panic in Abuja, with rumours of a possible attack on the Presidential Villa.
But Presidential spokesman Reuben Abati said the Villa was not affected.
“What happened at the SSS headquarters has nothing to do with the Villa. President Jonathan is safe and well. Thank you for your concern,” Abati said on Twitter.
Later on, he told the BBC radio: “The Presidential Villa was not under attack. No attack was made on the SSS headquarters. It was only an attempted jail break, and it was since taken care of…
“The SSS headquarters is within the perimeter of the National Assembly and the Supreme Court as well as the Presidential Villa, and the area is well guarded by security men. So, immediately anything happens, there will be sudden response from the agencies to repel any attack.”
Security beef-up
The incident at the SSS headquarters led to a massive security buildup in strategic areas of Abuja.
Daily Trust’s State House correspondent reported that security was promptly tightened at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The gate to the Villa, through the Fire Service Office in Asokoro, was closed, while soldiers were stationed around the Eagle Square and the gate leading to the State House through the Federal Secretariat.
Motorists were also barred from using the road leading to the SSS headquarters.
When our correspondent visited the Villa vicinity around 4pm yesterday, the access gates had been re-opened though heavily armed security personnel were still around.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that additional security was also deployed at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, venue of a meeting of African ministers of finance and economy and other leaders.
The additional armed men, seen within the vicinity of the hotel, include soldiers, police and officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
They were supported by sniffer dogs as they took positions within and outside the hotel.
Security was also beefed up in and around military and other security offices in Abuja following the attempted jailbreak.
On the Shehu Shagari Road, where the Police Force Headquarters is located, the area had been barricaded with armoured personnel carrier, same for the Ministry of Defence, Area 10, Garki.
The entire vicinity of the presidential palace and the SSS headquarters has been cordoned off, making it impossible for journalists to do area assessment with a view to determining what actually happened.
However, there were normal activities in other areas of the city centre.