A POLICE base where suspected members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram , are often held was attacked on Monday, the Nigeria police has confirmed.
Unidentified gunmen attacked the base of the police’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad in the Federal Capital City, a daring move that followed a similar attack at a military base in the northern city of Kaduna, in Kaduna State, barely 24 hours earlier.
According to the police authorities at the base in Abuja, the Monday attack was repelled. No physical damages were seen at the base, but residents said they heard rapid gunfire that lasted up to about half hour.
The SARS base is also used to detain robbery suspects following their initial transfer to Abuja.
Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, it is believed that it was an attempt to free suspected Islamic radicals detained at the heavily-guarded base.
Monday’s attack is the latest act of violence carried out in the nation’s capital, following an April 26 attack at the offices of Thisday, a widely-read national newspaper.
Prior to that, a major attack at the United Nation’s offices in August of 2010 claimed no less than 25 people.
The attacks come in the face of growing anxiety about the state of insecurity in Nigeria, especially in the north where approximately 700 people – civilians and security personnel alike – have lost their lives to the violent activities of the Islamic group.
Recently, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo appeared to criticize incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan’s handling of the security challenges posed by the activities of the violent Islamic group.
President Jonathan put up a defiant defense of his efforts in a recent media chat with journalists at the State House in Abuja. Others like former military leader, retired General Yakubu Gowon also came to Mr. Jonathan’s defense.