BOKO HARAM DETAINEES ATTEMPT TO BREAK OUT OF SSS HEADQUARTERS

On Sunday, suspected members of the Boko Haram being held in detention at the SSS Headquarters in Abuja attempted to break out.

The attempt to break out led to heavy shooting in the Aso Drive area of Abuja, which is also home to the Presidential Villa.

Trouble started as early as 6am, when the inmates were said to have over powered a handler who had come to serve them food, and had taken his weapon and freed themselves and others.

Seeing the attack, some DSS handlers are reported to have retreated so as not to be killed by the rampaging suspected terrorists.

The source said after shooting the first handler, the ten suspected terrorists began to escape into different locations within the massive security compound.

Alarmed by the effrontery of the suspected terrorists, the DSS quickly deployed its men to quell the uprising, resulting in heavy shooting that claimed the lives of up to 20 suspects.

Many DSS operatives and Boko Haram detainees were also injured in the ensuing  stampede.

The shot DSS operative, whose name could not be immediately ascertained, was immediately rushed to an undisclosed hospital. A source said the shot operative was in a critical state but had not died.

It was learnt that the DSS, which is highly embarrassed by the incident, had begun investigation into why the detainees handler decided to go and open the cell gate alone without being accompanied by others, as is the standard practice.

“The whole episode occurred around 6:30 am and 7am on Sunday during the normal handing over and takeover of detainees.

“The standard rule is that you cannot go alone to open the gate leading to the detainees’ cell but as soon as the man opened the gate, he was attacked and he tried to run away and was shot.

“The shot operative has been taken to hospital,” said a source.

The uprising led to the deployment of soldiers to the DSS headquarters and around the Presidential Villa.