20 Policemen Still Missing after Boko Haram Attack – IG

Acting Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba

Twenty Nigerian police officers are still missing three weeks after Boko Haram fighters attacked a training academy outside the remote northeastern town of Gwoza, the country’s police chief said on Tuesday. Inspector General Suleiman Abba told reporters that police would “not relent in the efforts of tracing them”.

Initially, police said 35 officers were missing after the attack on August 21. Abba said some had since returned, without explaining how.

“We have been able to trace some of the officers who have reported back to their bases. Some have even reported back to their families,” he said.

Boko Haram Islamists attacked the police academy near Gwoza in Borno state two weeks after they seized the town and declared it part of an Islamic caliphate they are seeking to establish in northern Nigeria. They went on to capture Bama, 50 kilometres (30 miles) to the north on September 1, killing scores of people. The government, which has faced criticism for its failure to effectively confront the militants, however said on Tuesday it was fighting back successfully.