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Terrorists attack Okene Central Mosque •Kill 2 soldiers, 2 others •Death toll in Deeper Life Church attack now 20 •Gov imposes 12-hr curfew
Written by Yekini Jimoh, Lokoja Wednesday, 08 August 2012
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the gunmen, who dressed in white regalia, drove in a Hilux Jeep to the mosque close to the secretariat of Okene Local Government Area at about 4.00 p.m, during a Tafsir, a Muslim programme and opened fire on the people inside the mosque.
According to sources, the military man stationed at the mosque was able to kill two of the gunmen before he was eventually overpowered and killed.
The gunmen were said to have escaped with the Hilux Jeep before security agents could arrive at the scene of the incident.
The state Police Commissioner, Mr Muhammed Katsina, confirmed the incident.
Meanwhile, following the killing of worshippers at Deeper Life Church in Okene, on Monday night, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Abubakar has ordered a 24-hour surveillance of all places of worship and other vulnerable areas in Okene and other parts of the state.
The IGP’s order was contained in a statement signed by the police spokesperson, CSP Frank Mba and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.
He has also ordered the immediate deployment of additional units of mobile policemen from other squadrons to beef up the security arrangement in the state.
The IGP also appealed for calm, promising that the perpetrators of the heinous crime would certainly not go unpunished.
He advised the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their areas to the police.
Abubakar, according to the statement, also advised parents to keep watchful eyes on their wards and protect them from all negative external influences.
In a related development, economic activities in some towns in Kogi State, especially Lokoja and Okene, were brought to a standstill on Tuesday over unconfirmed reports of sporadic shootings in Lokoja.
It was also alleged that an improvised explosive device was discovered in the premises of Revival Fire Church at Phase II area of Lokoja.
Banks, business centres, taxi drivers and commercial motorcyclists, all closed business for the day.
This development came as the state governor, Captain Idris Wada, promised to fish out those behind the killing of 20 people, including children, at the Deeper Life Bible Church, Otite, on Monday night.
During a visit to the church, he cursed the perpetrators, saying that the blood of the innocent children was upon them.
The governor, who also visited those who sustained gunshot injuries at Okene General Hospital, promised both Muslim and Christian worshippers in the state of adequate security.
He also visited the palace of Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji (Dr) Ado Ibrahim, where he charged the traditional ruler to use his experience to check the ugly situation in the senatorial district.
“I am disturbed by the rate at which crime is committed in this area,” he said, adding that, if the security of an area was not certain, no meaningful development would take place.
The governor also commended the security agents in the state for their quick intervention.
Responding, the Ohinoyi said he was very sad over the incident and promised to bring the situation under control.
Meanwhile, some security agents were seen at strategic locations in Lokoja and Okene, while others patrolled streets with armoured personnel carriers.
Meanwhile, the state government, on Tuesday, declared dusk to dawn curfew in Okene town, to curtail the crisis.
It also directed that all commercial motorcycles operating in Okene and Lokoja will now operate from 6.00 a.m to 6.00 p.m daily until further notice.
Governor Wada gave the order on Tuesday night, during a state broadcast on the security problem confronting the state.
The governor also donated seven Hilux Jeeps to security agents in the state, as he noted that the administration was determined to solve the security challenges in the state.
He urged the people of the state to shun rumour mongering to avoid complexity.
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- ‘ Cases of rape rise to 84% in Nigeria’
- Dana air crash update: 23 aircrash victims’ families yet to receive compensation
- Mimiko inaugurates new Mother & Child hospital today
- N4.56b pension scam: Female accused hospitalised,trial stalled
- Construction workers hail FG’s decision on Lagos-Ibadan expressway
- Senate adjourns plenary for 1 week, dissolves to Appropriation committee.
- Blackout looms as Egbin power plant breaks down
- FMBN, NEXIM, BOA, IB lose N47bn in 6 months - CBN
- FirstBank wins Nigerian Bank of the Year award
- PDP tackles ACN over Tukur’s comments
- Electricity workers threaten strike over Wamakko
- ‘NDIC prosecuted 55 directors, staff of micro finance banks in 2011’
- Judgment in Oni’s appeal stalled, re-fixed for Jan 8
- Slain banker: Deceased had only 3 wounds -Accused’s father
- Appointments: S/West not marginalised —FCC
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