Friday, Aug 17, 2012

LAGOS, Nigeria AFP)--Nigerian police said Friday they had arrested a governor's aide over a church massacre and an attack on a military patrol that killed 23 people, but his involvement wasn't clear.

Kogi state police chief Muhammed Katsina said that special adviser to the state governor Yahaya Karaku and four others "are being detained and interrogated over their suspected involvement in the attacks on the Deeper Life Church and military patrol team".

Gunmen stormed the evangelical church on August 6 in Okene in Kogi state, cut the electricity and opened fire on worshippers, killing 19 people including the pastor.

The following day, assailants shot at troops patrolling outside a government building in the city, sparking an exchange of gunfire that left two soldiers and two of the gunmen dead.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

17-08-12 1630GMT