Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - The death toll is 18 due to the violent clashes on June 26 in Kano (north of Nigeria) between security forces and a group belonging to the Islamic sect Boko Haram. In the clashes a police officer and 17 men of the Boko Haram were killed, 3 others were arrested. According to a police spokesman, the group had the intention of attacking the Goron Dutse prison, in order to free the prisoners. In addition to the prison, several police stations were attacked. The military and police reacted again the fire, thwarting the attacks. During the operations weapons, ammunition and improvised explosive devices (IED) were recovered.
The Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris, stated that "the collective prayers of Muslims and Christians" allowed to derail another attack launched by the terrorists against police stations and other buildings of the security forces. The Boko Haram sect has intensified attacks against security forces and Christian places of worship. The Nigerian Bishops (see Fides 26/6/2012) have long launched the alarm on the climate of hatred and violence caused by terrorist acts that could plunge Nigeria into a spiral of inter-community clashes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 28/6/2012)
