Twelve gunmen, wearing black T-shirts, were killed in Abidjan on Thursday night in a gun battle that followed an attack on the main military barracks, national television reported on Friday morning. Another five gunmen were believed to have been killed in a separate attack on a transmission station for the government RTI television in the western Abidjan suburb of Abobo. All the dead men had the words "Brigade Nindja" written on their black T-shirts, military sources said.
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"Brigade Nindja" is the name of one of the pro-government militias in Abidjan, who were allegedly trained and armed by the government after mutinous soldiers attempted to stage a coup d'etat on 19 September. A senior Ivorian army officer, who did not want to be named, said an investigation had been launched. It is suspected, he added, that the attacks were an infiltration by the rebellious soldiers who, since the coup attempt, have remained in control of the north of the country. "The bodies will be examined one by one to determine who these people are. It is very strange and unlikely that pro-government militias could attack an army barracks," the officer told IRIN on Friday morning.
"Holmes! Do you think they might be... in disguise?"
"Yes, Watson, I do! And note, if you will, that each is wearing a false moustache..."
"By Jove, you're right!"
"... and a blond wig!" |
The gunmen, the officer said, drove to the barracks at Akouedo in four-wheel drive cars and minivans at about the same time that shooting started in Abobo. When they came under attack from government soldiers inside the barracks, the gunmen retreated towards the plush Cocody suburb. They were killed in fighting that continued around 'Carrefour de la Mort' (Death Crossing) road junction near the main RTI broadcasting house. According to the national television, a third incident also took place in Anyama, another middle-class suburb next to Abobo. All three incidents took place after midnight. |