Incident Summary:

01/03/2012: At least 15 assailants attacked a police station with gunfire and an explosive device in Birniwa, Jigawa, Nigeria. A police officer was shot in the leg and a girl killed in the attack. The explosive device was later defused by a bomb squad. No group claimed responsibility, but authorities suspected Boko Haram of complicity in the attack.

GTD ID:
201201030005

When:
2012-01-03

Country:
Nigeria

Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Jigawa

City:
Birniwa

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Police
Name of Entity Nigeria Police Force (NPF)
Specific Description Birniwa Divisional Police Headquarters
Nationality of Target Nigeria
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Not Applicable
Specific Description Civilians
Nationality of Target Nigeria
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Unknown Explosive Type
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Weapon Details
A thrown explosive device was used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information There is conflicting information on the number of assailants.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Boko Haram (suspected) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 15
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 1 Fatalities / 1 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 1
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 1
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
"Gunmen attack police station in northern Nigeria; one dead," Agence France Presse -- English, January 4, 2012.
"4 Killed in Boko Haram Attacks in Jigawa, Borno,Yobe," Vanguard, January 5, 2012.
"Nigeria: Suspected Islamic Sect Gunmen Attack Police Station, Kill 1 in Jigawa," The Guardian Online, January 4, 2012.