Nigerian Army Clash With Islamic Sect Members in Okene, Kogi State

No fewer than 10 members of an Islamic sect and one soldier were killed in Okene, Kogi State, on Tuesday, when men of the Nigerian Army invaded the base of the fundamentalist in the town.

The development was said to have led to pandemonium in the commercial town as schools, shops, banks and other public offices were locked throughout the day.

The members of the sect were said to have engaged the army in gun duel during which 10 of them were shot dead, while a soldier was said to have also been killed during the battle.

Tribune Online gathered that the men of the army had invaded a mosque located at Inike in the heart of Okene following reports on the activities of the sect.

Sources said the invasion of the area was a fall-out of the recent attack carried out on the state headquarters of the Department of State Services (DSS) by people suspected to be members of the sect.

Some of the people that carried out the attack were said to have escaped with gunshot wounds following which the security agencies were said to have beamed their searchlight.

The move was said to have led to the arrest of a suspected member of the sect who was said to be a teacher in one of the private schools in Okene.

The arrested member was said to have informed soldiers about the whereabouts of other members that were receiving treatments over the gunshot wounds.

It was further learnt that upon the arrest of the member where he was being treated, he confessed to be a member of the group following which he took them to their hideout around 1.00 a.m. where weapons including AK-47 rifles were allegedly found.

However, a visit to the mosque being used by the sect in the midnight showed that it was deserted following which the military men were said to have laid ambush for them till about 5.00 a.m.

It was, however, gathered that the members of the sect had got wind of the development and also attacked the men of the army, who immediately opened fire on them.

The mosque which was being used by the members of the sect was said to have been razed down by the soldiers, who were still at the area as of press time.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State command, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the command could not speak on the development as it was a military operation.

He however said the operation was on-going, adding that the military would be in the best position to give a detailed information about the operation.

Source: Tribune