Soldiers clashes with suspected Islamists in Okene. The soldiers were said to be investigating the recent (attempted?) jailbreak that occured in Lokoja which was allegedly carried out by suspected militants based in mosque of a late radical cleric in the area.

On getting there, the soldiers were allegedly denied access to the said mosque, which provoked them into using force.

This allegedly led to exchange of gunfire between the soldiers and the suspected militants.

As of now, it has been confirmed that the said mosque has been burnt by the soldiers, while the patrol van used by the soldier have been burnt as well by the suspected militants.

People have deserted the area now and all economic activities have been shut down. Banks and schools have closed down as parents were evacuating their wards. Gunshots were still heard as at the time of filing this report.

NB: this is a second hand report from eyewitnesses. It is provisional. Also, the op is not a journalist, so beware.

Ok