Gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram launched a deadly attack Friday night on the Kogi State headquarters of the State Security Service, SSS, in Lokoja, the capital.
Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Commissioner of Police in the state, confirmed the death of a policeman when a team of security forces from the police, army and the SSS, later engaged the gunmen.
However he could not confirm the identity of the attackers.
“I cannot confirm whether they are Boko Haram members or not. All I know is that they are criminal elements and the law will take its course,” Mr. Ojukwu said.
“We are investigating to know the circumstances that led to that attack, their motive and others,” he said.
If the attackers are confirmed to be Boko Haram members, it would be the first time since 2014 that the militants would launch an assault in the north central state of Kogi.
In November, Boko Haram terrorists raided a prison there and freed 147 inmates.
The attack came two years after the insurgents attacked a Deeper Life church in the state and killed 19 worshippers.
Mr. Ojuwku assured the public that the police were always on alert and would always work in collaboration with other security agencies to tackle security challenges in the state.
“Our mandate is to keep the environment and Kogi free and safe for Nigerians to go about their lawful businesses,” he said.
He urged the public to partner with the police in the fight against crime, saying “we should have an understanding that there is no way you can solve crime without community involvement”.
“Criminals live in our midst. Don’t hide them, criminals don’t respect persons. If you are not a victim today you may be a victim tomorrow if you don’t report criminal elements in your midst,” the police boss said.
A witness told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the gunmen arrived the SSS office at about 10:30 p.m.
He said the gunmen barricaded the adjoining roads to the office and shot at motorists from all directions.
(NAN)