SSS uncovers bombs factory

Six suspects have been arrested in connection with the bombings in Suleja, Niger State.

The State Security Services (SSS), which broke the news yesterday, said it also uncovered a building in Suleja where explosives are being manufactured by members of the Boko Haram sect.

Also yesterday, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) deported 72 Nigeriens handed over by the Brigade of Guards, the Army Unit protecting the President. www.naijapaymentsonline.com

The NIS is looking for a man suspected to be recruiting and sending Nigeriens into Nigeria.

The SSS, in a statement in Abuja signed by its spokesperson Mrs Marylyn Ogar, said: “Following the bombings at the INEC office, Suleja on 8th April, 2011 and the All Christians Fellowship Church, Suleja, Niger State on 10th July, 2011, this Service commenced investigation to unravel the perpetrators.

“Consequently, on 4th August, 2011, a suspect, who is a Nigerien national, was apprehended in connection with the bombing in Suleja.

“He confessed to his involvement in the bombings as well as his membership of the Boko Haram sect. His confession led to the arrest of a 31-year old indigene of Imo State who converted to Islam in 2003.

“The second suspect, who is born of a Nigeriene mother, was brought up in Niger Republic, where he had his early education. He also admitted to being a member of the Boko Haram sect as well as having worked in concert with a third suspect from Kano State to carry out attacks in Suleja. Their confessions led to further arrest of two accomplices from Borno State.

“The five suspects all confessed that the main supplier of the explosive materials used for their bombing operations is a miner from Nasarawa State, who the Service eventually arrested on 30th August, 2011.

“They also confessed that they took part in the killing of four policemen at a check-point at Dakwa-Deidei in Bwari Area Council of the FCT on 22nd May, 2011.

 “Investigation has indeed revealed that the suspects belong to the Boko Haram cell operating in the Suleja-Abuja axis, which is under the direction and control of a blood-thirsty Boko Haram leader who is now at large.

“Meanwhile, a non-descript building where the Improvised Explosive Devices (I.E.Ds) are assembled has been uncovered at an area popularly known as Chechnya, Hayin-Uku village in Tafa Local Government Area, Niger State.

“Among items recovered in the merchandise of death are: i. One (1) gas cylinder; ii. One battery connected to a detonator; iii. Two (2) damaged detonators; iv. One (1) locally made revolver; v. One (1) gun butt; vi. Two (2) knives; and vii. Ten (10) GSM handsets with SIM cards.”

Other items recovered include ceiling fan coil, metallic cylinders, nine volts batteries ready for use, 200 pieces of detonators, detonating cables, battery chargers, and a Honda Civic car with Borno State registration number AG 94 MNG, among others.

A bomb expert brought in by the SSS, Mr. Adegboyega Adeniyi, told reporters that an assembled combination of some of the items could wreak the kind of devastation at the bombed Abuja UN building.  

The identity of the owner of the building is yet to be established by the SSS, even as the villagers, including the village head were not willing to give information about the ownership of the house.

Mrs Ogar, who conducted reporters round the horror house, said the building had been under surveillance and that the suspects, who she did not name, would be charged to court “as soon as we find any court that is willing to try them”.

The NIS yesterday deported 72 Nigeriens as part of the ongoing clampdown on Boko Haram members and illegal aliens.

NIS spokesman Joachim Olumba, a chief superintendent, who spoke with our correspondents, said the deported Nigeriens were taken away from Abuja to the nearest Nigerien border in Katsina State at about 3.45pm.

Olumba said: “An Army officer and some soldiers from the Brigade of Guards on Monday brought a truckload of young men to us and informed us that they were apprehended between 5pm and 6pm somewhere around Dei-Dei while trying to enter Abuja.

“The nature of their movement looked suspicious, but we decided to determine their nationality and mission through screening.

“All through the night, we screened them and conducted investigation.

“After investigation, 80 are Nigerians and 72 are from the Republic of Niger.

“We were able to establish the fact that these people do not have any visible means of livelihood. And given this situation, we reasoned that it will be improper to admit them into Abuja when they have no fixed addresses and no contact.”