Suspected insurgents numbering 15 were killed yesterday when they engaged soldiers in a gun duel at Inike Street, Okene in Kogi State.
Soldiers acting on intelligence stormed a mosque in the area to arrest suspected insurgents believed to be hiding sophisticated weapons in the mosque. The information was gotten from arrested members of the sect who attacked the Lokoja office of Department of State Security Service (DSS) on Sept. 25.
On sighting the soldiers, they opened fire on them, hitting one of the soldiers while the others engaged the insurgents in a gun duel. The mosque was burnt down and about 15 of the insurgents killed. Unverified reports suggests that a soldier lost his life in the raid.
Many residents of Okene town have fled the areas because of the incident while those who have remained are in hiding. Baba Abdulrazaq, Secretary of Ebira Youth congress said relative calm has returned to the area as people are now alert.
Emmanuel Ojukwu, Kogi State Police Commissioner couldn't comment as he referred the incident as a military operation. The army is yet to issue a statement on the matter.