The Police in Jalingo, Taraba State on Sunday confirmed the arrest of an armed personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service by a local vigilance group.
The spokesman of the police command, David Misal, said the suspect, Mahmood Idris, broke into a place of worship and destroyed some properties.
Misal explained that Idris, who sustained injuries during the incident, was receiving treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo.
According to him, police preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect signed and collected the rifle on Saturday while on duty, only for him to engage in the dastardly act.
Misal added that Idris was suffering from mental illness, “but that is subject to medical examination”.
He appealed to members of the public to disregard the rumour making the rounds that a cleric was hurt in the attack, stressing that nobody was injured except the attacker.
The Director of Security of the place of worship, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, had earlier told newsmen in Jalingo that the suspect was nabbed at 2am on Sunday after two members of his syndicate had fled.
Mohammed said the fearless guard on duty with the help of some local vigilance group members overpowered the attacker before he could use the AK47 rifle in his possession.
Mohammed said the man was later handed over to the police for interrogation.
