SSS-Boko Haram Gun Battle: Findings Punctures SSS Account

The headquarters of the Department of State Services (SSS), was turned into a battle field on Sunday, as some suspected members of the Boko Haram sect who are being held in detention facility in the premises stage a daring escape.

After the shooting, SSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, issued a statement  downplaying the attack, saying it was an attempted jailbreak by detained terrorists.

The statement issued read: “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.

“[The suspect’s] 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. Further details will be communicated.”

However, findings reveal that the statement is completely in false and misleading as what transpired in the complex is more than we were told.

Although it could not be immediately ascertained how the detainees obtained arms with which they engaged the SSS operatives and the military that came to their rescue, a source said the detainees held the complex under siege for hours and almost took total control after overpowering their guards, shot several operatives and broke down heavy doors at the detention facility.

He said the detainees engaged the SSS operatives in a gun duel and were only overpowered after they had run out of ammunitions from the weapons they obtained.

Some residents of the area also gave account that contradicts the ones put forward by the SSS.

Former minister, whose home neighboured the SSS headquarters, Femi Fani-Kayode said, ”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.”

Also, former Minister Nasir El-Rufai, who live a few metres away from the SSS headquarters said “Whatever this is, it appears more serious than an attempted jailbreak claimed by the SSS.”

What some others asked is that if the incident was an attempted jail break as claimed by the SSS, why did the exchange of gun fire lasted for several hours and helicopter gunship and truck load of fully armed soldiers, Armoured Personnel Carrier and RPG mobilized to the area?