Ten Islamic fundamentalists were killed today (13/10/15) in Okene, near Lokoja in Kogi State during a bloody encounter between an Islamic sect and men of the Nigerian Army.
learnt in Lokoja that soldiers acting on information stormed a mosque located on Inike Street in Okene to dislodge the sect members.
Reports stated that some soldiers also sustained serious wounds and had been taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja for treatment.
learnt that soldiers decided to act after obtaining information that the fundamentalists were using the mosque to hide guns and other sophisticated weapons.
The soldiers were stated to have obtained useful information from two members of the sect, who were arrested during a gun attack at the Lokoja office of the State Security Service on Sept. 25.
As at the time of this report, Inike Street was stated to be calm with residents refusing to come out of their houses because of fear.
The Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Police Command, William Aya, stated the operation was "a pure military affair". He gave no further details on the incident.