It was more serious…’: Nasir el-Rufai, Femi Fani-Kayode, others doubt SSS jailbreak story

     

Reports coming in have it that the gun battle heard from the environs of the Presidential Villa this morning was as a result of an attempted jail break by prisoners of the State Security Service (SSS).
[READ:Just In: Heavy gunfire heard from Aso Rock on Sunday morning]
The attackers, suspected Boko Haram militants who had been incarcerated at the headquarters of the SSS, were said to have turned on a guard who had brought in a meal.
They turned on him and shot him and then laid siege to the Yellow House leading to a fierce exchange of fire between them and SSS operatives who fought to regain control of their base.
According to reports, the spokesperson of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar has confirmed the incident. She said:

“There was an attempted jail break by our inmates when the suspect handler went to feed them.What happened was that the suspects handlers went to feed the detainees here but suddenly they attacked him with their handcuffs, disarmed him and started shooting.The military was quickly called in before they could do any harm and that is responsible for the shootings you heard. It was an attempted jailbreak but it has been brought under control.”

She did not state what the inmates were being held for but she assured that an official statement would be made as regards the incident.
Presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati also said:

 “What happened at the SSS HQ this morning was an attempted jailbreak which has been effectively foiled. There is no cause for alarm”
“What happened at the SSS HQs has nothing to do with the Villa. President Jonathan is safe & well. Thank you for your concern & support.”

Meanwhile some have speculated that the situation might be worse than the SSS operatives are painting it to be.

Several other reactions have also come from Twitter and Facebook with respondents wondering how an handcuffed inmate was able to disarm an SSS operative saddled with the responsibility of feeding him and how the suspected militants were able to sustain heavy gun battle with military men for hours on limited ammunition.

We shall bring you more details as we get them.