Abuja: At least two guards were killed and several inmates were freed when militants stormed a prison in their northeastern heartland on Friday, in the latest in a surge of attacks blamed on the Islamist group, media reported on Friday.
According to reports the Boko Haram (BH) first attacked the Banki police station but they were repelled . They then went to Kumshe, a nearby town, and attacked the prison lockup killing two officials before setting all the inmates free.
A police spokesman for Borno state, in the northeast of Africa’s top oil producer, said 23 suspects had since been arrested.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, although Boko Haram has been blamed for several prison breaks in the past.
The groups has said it is fighting to free imprisoned members and to carve out an Islamic state in Nigeria – a country nearly evenly split between Muslims and Christians.
Months of gun and bomb attacks blamed on Boko Haram have killed hundreds since the movement started its uprising more than two years ago. The violence has intensified in the past two weeks.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription