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The Presidency has assured that President Goodluck Jonathan is “safe and well” and that the gun battle which raged this morning in the vicinity of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa did not in any way breach security at the Villa.

“What happened at the SSS HQ this morning was an attempted jailbreak which has been effectively foiled. There is no cause for alarm,” Reuben Abati, special adviser to the President on media and publicity said in a tweet, adding:

“What happened at the SSS HQs has nothing to do with the Villa. President Jonathan is safe & well. Thank you for your concern & support.”

About 30 persons were reported to have died as operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) battled to foil an attempt by some suspected Boko Haram members to escape from detention.

Giving the official version of what happened, SSS spokesperson Marilyn Ogar said in a statement issued in Abuja:

“At 0715 hours, the Service suspect handler went to the detention facility within the Headquarters to feed the suspects.

“One of the suspects attempted to disarm him by hitting him at the back of his head with his handcuff.

“His attempt to escape drew the attention of other guards at the facility who fired some shots to warn and deter others.

“The gun shots attracted the attention of the military with whom we have an understanding of mutual assistance in the event of any threat.

“The Army immediately deployed a team to reinforce our perimeter guards to forestall any external collaborators.

“The situation has since been brought under control. Further details will be communicated.”

•Photo shows Presidential Spokesman Reuben Abati.

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