20110517
Daily Champion

Maiduguri — THERE was heavy exchange of gunshots between the military and unknown gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram last night at Gwange ward of the Maiduguri metropolis.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, the acting Army Public Relation Officer (PRO) 21 Armoured Brigade Lieutenant Abdullahi Mohammed said the patrol convoy was passing through Gwange ward, when the gunmen engaged them in fire exchange.

On whether there was death or casualties recorded during the exchange of fire, the PRO said he was not in a position to confirm whether there was casualty or not, explaining that they were still carrying out investigations.

Lieutenant Abdullahi said they have made some arrest, and that those arrested will be interrogated so as to fish out the culprits. He appealed to the public to be patient with their method of operation, as they might have trampled upon people's right.

Some Maidugri residents have been decrying the level of harassment, intimidation and molestation by the members of security operatives in the state.

Alhaji Abubakar, an Abbaganram resident claimed in a chat with Daily Champion that, the security operatives at the check point assaulted him, smashed the wind screen of his car and subjected him to frog jump.

Another resident , Mallam Ibrahim Garba had also claimed that the security situation was getting out of hand and called on the government to withdraw the military and police in the town . He contended that their presence did not make any difference since killings still persist.

Our correspondent, who was at the police headquarters to find out detailss of the attack, was told that both the police commissioner and the PPRO were said to be away on official engagements and could not be reached on phone, as their lines were switched off.