In the early hours of today, 26th November,
2012, at about 2am, unknown gunmen in large number attacked the premises
of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Federal Territory
Police Command.
Policemen on duty responded swiftly and engaged the
gunmen in a gun battle that lasted for some minutes, at the end of which
the gunmen were successfully repelled.
However, in the confusion that ensued, about 30
suspects in the detention facilities of SARS broke out of the cells and
attempted to escape. Tactical and coordinated efforts to re-arrest the
fleeing suspects yielded instant result. So far, twenty five (25) of the
suspects have been re-arrested, while five (5) suspects originally
being held in relation to robbery related offences are currently at
large.
It needs to be emphasized here that no suspect held for
terror related charges, escaped from SARS detention facilities. No
explosive or IED-related materials were used in the botched attack.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni has
personally visited the scene of the incident to assess the situation.
He has equally ordered a high-powered investigative panel headed by a
Senior Police Officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the
incidence.
Similarly, the IGP has ordered water-tight security around all government and Police related facilities nationwide.
The Police High Command uses this medium to appeal to
Nigerians for calm while reassuring them of the Force preparedness to
perform its constitutional and statutory responsibilities of providing
adequate security for the State and the entire citizenry. The Force
therefore, enjoins the public to continue to go about their lawful duty
without fear or intimidation as adequate strategies have been put in
place to guarantee the general security and safety of all Nigerians.
CSP Frank E. Mba
Deputy Force Public Relations Officer ,
For: Force Public Relations Officer,
Force Headquarters, Abuja.