33 killed in fresh religious crisis in Bauchi
By Patience Ogbodo
NO fewer than 32 Islamic fundamentalists popularly known as ‘Boko Haram’ may have been killed while many others were seriously injured Sunday morning at the Federal Low Cost Area of Bauchi when the Islamic sect struck in the area just as a yet-to-be-identified military personnel was killed by the fundamentalists during exchange of fire.
The death toll in the shoot-out between the police and members of the sect opposed to Western education is, however, on the rise, according to reports.
Security sources said five of the extremists were killed on Saturday when the group attacked a police station in the Dutsen Tanshi area of the Bauchi metropolis, while the remaining lost their lives on Sunday during the shoot-out between the group and security operatives.
Some unspecified number of soldiers and policemen were also said to have lost their lives in the gun duel.
A police officer, who requested anonymity, said no fewer than 100 suspects had so far been arrested.
The police were said to have recovered an AK47 rifle, assorted ammunition, military uniforms, explosives, sewing machines, electric generator, motorcycles, foodstuffs and roofing sheets from the suspects in a raid.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Bauchi State Police Command, Mr. Mohammed Barau, confirmed the crisis, stressing that more policemen had been drafted to the area to maintain order and secure lives and properties of the people.
