Twenty-one casualties have been officially confirmed in yesterday’s gun battle in the headquarters of the State Security Service (SSS) which caused panic in the neighbourhood, including at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

News Express had yesterday evening reported 30 dead in the gun duel between officers of the Nigerian secret police and convicted members of the Boko Haram terrorist sect but SSS spokeswoman Marilyn Ogar said last night in a third statement about the incident: “It has been established that eighteen (18) casualties were recorded, while two (2) Service personnel sustained serious injuries. Three (3) other detainees who sustained gunshot injuries during the incident have also died.

“Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the immediate and remote causes.”

Earlier in the day, Ogar in her first statement gave the following account of what happened: “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.”

Ogar’s second statement had said: “(We) wish to state that the roads leading to the office were cordoned-off to prevent possible assistance from external collaborators. During this period, the precinct of the office and adjoining neighborhoods were thoroughly searched.”

Security remains tight in the vicinity as work resumes after the weekend break.

•Photo shows the SSS Headquarters, with soldiers combating fleeing terrorists.

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