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| Sympathisers carrying one of the casualties |
(Reuters) - Nigerian forces and members of Boko Haram clashed in a shoot out near the main residential compound for lawmakers in Abuja on Friday, state security services said, the first clash involving Islamist militants in the capital this year.
A security team was searching for weapons after a tip-off from arrested members of Boko Haram, a militant group that wants to impose sharia law in northern Nigeria and has been responsible for hundreds of killings this year.
"Some persons were injured and 12 others have been arrested in connection with the incident," said a statement from state security services, Nigeria's secret service.
"No sooner had the team commenced digging for the arms, than they came under heavy gunfire attack by other Boko Haram elements," the statement said.
Unconfirmed reports say eight were killed, while two others were wounded. The gunmen it was gathered struck at about 2:30am on Friday, firing several gunshots that shattered the peaceful neighbourhood. The motive of the attack is still unknown but residents some about ten persons were shot by the assailants. A resident told DailyPost Friday afternoon that “I heard the gunshots. Those living around there said about ten people were shot just behind the mosque inside the quarters”.
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