LAGOS (AA) - Gunmen reportedly clad in army uniform on Friday morning invaded the Apo Legislative Quarters in Nigeria’s federal capital Abuja, where most of Nigeria’s federal lawmakers are living.
Between four and eight unidentified persons were feared killed and many others injured, according to eyewitnesses who said the attacks occurred in the wee hours of Friday.
The police spokesman for the capital city, Altine Daniel, confirmed the attack to Anadolu Agency, but declined to give further information.
“We will give further details when investigations are concluded,” he told AA in a telephone interview.
No lawmaker was harmed.
It is also claimed that some identity cards of the alleged "soldier" attackers were found at the scene of the crime.
Details of the gruesome attack remain sketchy at the moment, but the Nigerian secret police said in an official statement that its operatives engaged some Boko Haram militants in a gun fight following tip offs that weapons were buried in an uncompleted building near the legislative quarters.
The statement, signed by the secret police spokesperson Marilyn Ogar, said 12 Boko Haram operatives were arrested during the encounter which has plunged the capital city into confusion.
Ogar said the operation "was sequel to information obtained from two Boko Haram elements, Kamal Abdullahi and Mohammed Adamu, who had earlier been arrested for terrorist activities. They led the security team to uncompleted buildings where arms were purported to have been buried underground."
She added: "When the team commenced digging for the arms, they came under heavy gunfire attack by other Boko Haram elements within the area, which prompted immediate response from the security team."
The spokesperson added that as a result some persons were injured and twelve others have been arrested in connection with the incident, and are making useful statements.
"Normalcy has returned to the area. Members of the public are advised to go about their normal businesses, as appropriate security measures have been placed to ensure the safety of citizens in the FCT (federal capital territory)."
Ogar sidestepped questions on the casualty claims.
Boko Haram’s activities are largely restricted to the country’s Northeast and occasionally in Northwest Kano.
It had nonetheless attacked Abuja on two major occasions, the first being the bombing of the United Nations office in August 2011 and the second were the explosions in April 2012 at the office of a local tabloid, THISDAY, which the insurgents accused of twisting reports against it.
by Rafiu Ajakaye
englishnews@aa.com.tr
