Soldiers attack sect in Kogi, kill 15

Fifteen people suspected to be insurgents were killed yesterday when they engaged soldiers in a gun battle at Inike Street on the outskirts of Okene in Kogi State, Daily Trust gathered.
It was gathered that the soldiers who were acting on intelligence, stormed a mosque located on the street to dislodge the sect members. The soldiers decided to act after obtaining information that some insurgents were hiding sophisticated weapons in the mosque. They were said to have obtained useful information from members of the sect who were arrested during an attack at the Lokoja office of the SSS on Sept. 25, Daily Trust gathered.
Problem started at about 5am yesterday when the soldiers stormed the mosque to arrest them but they opened fire on the soldiers upon sighting them, hitting one while the other soldiers engaged them in a gun duel, burning the mosque.  Unconfirmed reports said the soldier was lost in the operation.  
Secretary of the Ebira Youth Congress, Baba Abdulrazaq, said  Okene town remained relatively calm as people were on the watch out. According to him, many residents of the community have fled.
Kogi State Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said it was a military operation and would comment on it. Efforts to reach the army in Lokoja before press time were futile.