Tag: IED

‘I Thought It Was Fireworks’, Man Caught With IED In Church Speaks

 

A suspect, Nathaniel Samuel, who was arrested for alleged possession of an improvised explosive device (IED) in a Kaduna church, has said that he thought the item in his bag was fireworks for decoration.

Samuel who is from Bauchi state, was paraded at the Kaduna State Police Command on Monday, was arrested on Sunday with an IED at Living Faith Church in Sabon Tasha area of Chikun local government area.

Speaking to reporters, the suspect admitted to carrying a bag containing the IED into the church but said he got the bag from a woman named ‘Grace’ from an event the previous day.

“I went to the church in the morning at about past 8 am, so while I was seating down, I was listening to the sermon from the man of God. All of a sudden I had a stomach ache, so I decided to go and use the toilet.

“When I came into the church I was holding a bag which contained some of my items, some of my documents because a day before that day, I went for an event at Ngwamboro, Sabo.

“We got it from the event through a lady I told them about and her name is Grace; when she gave it to me, I never knew what the devices were until after my bag was searched that I got to understand what they are,” he revealed.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Customs Intercept $8m, Arrest Airport Staff In Lagos

 

 

The suspect said the police assumed that the item was explosive, “but at the long run, when they interviewed me at the police station, they discovered they are not explosives; they are mere fireworks for decoration.

Meanwhile, police spokesman, DSP Yakubu Sabo said the suspect was caught with the explosive device inside the church as the Sunday service was going on with the intention to wreak havoc before he was apprehended by vigilant security personnel attached to the church.

“This suspect smuggled into that church with his bag and placed his bag on the church chair. Thereafter, he went into a restroom and stayed there for over an hour.

“This gave the apprehension by some of the church members that were observing service and drew the attention of the policemen providing security at the church that later came in and went straight to the restroom to bring him out.

“On enquiry, he confirmed to the policemen that the items in the bag belong to him, and on a closer look, they were suspected to be IEDs,” he added.

DSP Sabo disclosed that investigation is still going on to unravel the motive of the suspect and possibly fish out his accomplices.

He urged those who are using the incident to stoke religious tension to desist from doing so and focus on the act and not the personality of the person involved.

“The police is still investigating and whatever the outcome of the investigation, we will let the world know and do the needful.

“Crime is no respecter of religion, persons, tribe and whatever a social affiliation; a criminal is always a criminal. We should always concentrate on the act not the personality of the person involved,” he maintained.

Just In: Police Arrest Suspect With Explosive Device In Kaduna Church

 

The police in Kaduna State say they have arrested a middle-aged man with dangerous items suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at a Church located at Sabon Tasha area of Chikun local government area of the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo, told our correspondent, that the suspect, one Nathaniel Samuel was apprehended by security officials at the Living Faith Church during Sunday Church service with a bag containing explosive devices.

READ ALSO: Abducted Seminarian Found Dead In Kaduna

A map showing Kaduna, a state in Nigeria's North-Central region.

He disclosed that the suspect has been taken to the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department for further interrogation on what was his motive for entering the church with the bag.

13-Year-Old Suspected Suicide Bomber Arrested In Maiduguri

Suicide Bomber Reportedly Kills Six In Borno
File photo

 

A thirteen-year-old girl has been arrested near Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri, Borno State, with an Improvised Explosive Device strapped to her body.

Although she was said to have collapsed around Assembly Quarters near the barracks, upon interrogation, she managed to identify herself as Zara.

According to her, four of them had been brought into the area from Banki, in Bama Local Government Area for the suicide mission.

The four others were reportedly taken away in a car to another part of the city for their own mission.

Thereafter, the panicking residents called the attention of Civilian JTF operatives and the army who arrested the famished girl and cordoned off the area.

Residents were then ordered to remain indoors until the security breach is brought under control.

Officials of the Anti-bomb Squad are currently being awaited as military operatives keep the girl in protective custody.

PHOTOS: Troops Detonate Boko Haram Terrorists IED

 

Troops of the Nigerian detonated Boko Haram Terrorists IED at about 1 p.m on Monday, January 13, 2019.

Gallant Troops of 222 Battalion Konduga, on clearance patrol with the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Scanning Team, operating along Konduga-Aulari Road, recovered Improvised Explosive Devices planted by BHTs along Kawuri-Aulari Road.

The IEDs were successfully detonated.

Pictures below.

READ ALSO: Black Monday In Iran As Military Cargo Plane Crashes

UK Government To Give Nigeria Counter-IED Kit Worth £1m

 

The fight against insurgency in Nigeria has been boosted with the United Kingdom promising to provide counter-IED kit worth £1m.

The United Kingdom’s Minister of Armed Forces, Mark Lancaster, revealed this when he met with Nigeria’s Defence Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali, in London on the sidelines of the concluded Commonwealth meeting.

The gift is part of the collaboration between the two nations to combat terrorism.
“It’s in both the UK and Nigeria’s interest that we tackle the issue of terrorism in Nigeria,” Lancaster said.

Both men are hopeful that the kit would be helpful in foiling bomb attack by Boko Haram on innocent Nigerians.

UK To Give Nigeria Counter-IED Kit
UK Armed Forces Minister, Mark Lancaster, and Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali in London

 

The Defence Minister said talks were held about terrorism, training of the Nigerian military and other global security issues.

Apart from security issues, Nigeria is also said to be receiving positive responses from prospective investors regarding doing business in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to the UK, George Oguntade, told Channels Television that the recent feed back from investors were encouraging.

The Ambassador also said the process of obtaining Nigerian Visa has been made more effective.

He said visas could now be processed in only a matter of days as the delays that characterised the process in the past have been eliminated.

Oguntade said, “We had a list of applicants that ran into thousands and that created a bad feeling between applicants for passports and the High Commission. So much so that they were almost throwing stones at us here.

“But we immediately took control of the problems, ascertained what the problems were and set to work to eliminate them and thank God we have succeeded.”

10-Year-Old Strapped With IED Dies In Borno

Villagers "Catch" Suicide Bomber Near UNIMAIDA 10-year-old boy has been killed after an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) strapped on him by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State, exploded.

The incident which occurred on Saturday was confirmed in a statement by Borno Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Victor Isuku.

According to the statement, at about 10:00am on Saturday, two Fulani boys, Gambo Bukar and Umar Bukar, aged 10 and 8 years old respectively, from Dalti village in Jere LGA, the outskirt of Maiduguri, went out for grazing at Baram and Tamsongamdu villages in Mafa LGA.

While going about their business they came in contact with Boko Haram terrorists who strapped Gambo Bukar with an IED vest and set both of them free.

When the boys returned home at about 4:00 pm, they failed to disclose their encounter with the terrorists and in the process of unstrapping the vest, the IED exploded, killing Gambo Bukar alone, while Umar Bukar sustained injuries and was immediately hospitalized.

The scene was, however, visited by the Police EOD team who rendered the area safe.

Boko Haram Bomb Kills Officer, Three Soldiers In Borno

Army Arrests Three Suspected Chadian Boko Haram Terrorists
File Photo

The Nigerian Army says one of its officers and three soldiers have been killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram insurgents.

The incident occurred when a vehicle conveying a patrol team from the 133 Special Forces Battalion triggered the IED, which was buried on the road between Kangarwa and Alagarno village.

“Unfortunately, the IED claimed the life of an officer and three soldiers, while three other members of the patrol team sustained various degrees of injuries. Their Hilux vehicle was also completely damaged,” a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Sani Usman, said.

“The bodies of the late officer and soldiers have since been evacuated while the wounded have also been moved to the unit’s medical facility.”

After the blast, the army said troops pursued and killed three suspected Boko Haram terrorists that planted the bomb and hid

According to the statement, troops deployed in various parts of the northeast under Operation Lafiya Dole and the Multination Task Force in collaboration with other security agencies have, however, continued to fight terrorism, relentlessly.

“They have been doing so through patrols, clearance operations, patrols and maintaining blocking positions. They have also been contributing their bits in humanitarian activities to enhance civil-military relations with their respective host communities,” the statement added.

Federal Government Warns Citizens Against ‘Muslim Brotherhood’

Federal Government Warns Citizens Against 'Muslim Brotherhood'The Nigerian government says a cell of a Boko Haram affiliate, called the ‘Muslim Brotherhood’ in Kogi state, is acquiring bomb-making chemicals and high-calibre weapons to perpetrate “acts of terror”, including attacks on banks, arms depots and prisons in the country.

According to a statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, intelligence monitoring showed that the cell was making frantic efforts to advance its IED-making capability through the acquisition of chemicals used for producing IEDs and aluminium powder, a fuel source for amplifying explosions.

In his words: “Further intelligence monitoring has revealed that members of the Muslim Brotherhood are planning to forcefully free their members who are in detention in Kogi, Abuja and Kaduna, including one Bilyaminu, an IED expert for the group who is now at Kuje prison,”

The minister, therefore appealed to Nigerians to be vigilant and to report any suspicious persons or movements to the appropriate authorities.

Troops Defuse IED In Bayelsa, Arrest Four

Troops Diffuse IED In Bayelsa, Arrest FourThe joint taskforce code-named “Operation Delta Safe” has discovered a suspected criminal hideout around Biogbolo Secondary School in Yenagoa metropolis, Bayelsa state.

The taskforce revealed that this was while its men were on foot patrol. The area was cordoned and subsequently searched.

Upon searching, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed on a riser with the intention of blasting it was discovered. The IED was diffused as troops provided security.

The joint taskforce, in a statement, informed residents of Bayelsa State that the relative peace now enjoyed in the State is due to the unrelenting approach of its officers in the fight against criminality in the Niger Delta.

The statement which was signed by the coordinator joint media campaign centre, Lieutenant Colonel Olaolu Daudu, says the troops of the joint taskforce ‘Operation Delta Safe’ have successfully dislodged a suspected unrepentant militants/sea robbers camp extension at Isunkiri in Bayelsa State.

Items recovered during the raid include; two laptops, Philippino currency note and coins, one plasma TV, one DVD player, two saw blades, four Motorola hand held radios, two R2 GMDS radios, four mobile phones, five Radio chargers, five Motorola Radio batteries and one foreign ATM card.

Others items are; two sim cards, one civil helmet, pair of firefighting uniform, one GMI radio, documents/identity cards belonging to one Mr Roberto Bacariza Jr (Philippino), civil clothes, four pairs of Swire pacific offshore overall uniform, two boxes of drugs, two foreign passports, one ladder, one blue colour speed boat mounted with 115 Horse power with inscription VIP on it and one 75 Horse power engine, light blue coloured fibre.

Also the troops on anti-illegal bunkering operations discovered and destroyed a bunkering camp in Obi creek Epelepele Community of Brass Local Government Area in the State.

The joint taskforce revealed that a tip off led to the arrest of Mr Kelly Ikurusi, Mr Dokubo Erempagamo, Mr Orifie Borto and Mr George Friday AKA Yellow 1.

Yellow 1 is believed to be among the militants who attacked and killed the officers who were ambushed on August 8, 2016 at Nembe.

The four suspects are currently undergoing preliminary investigations.

Army Kills Female Suicide Bombers In Maiduguri

The Nigerian Army has gunned down three female suicide bombers in Maiduguri in the early hours of Friday.

A report by the spokesman for the Borno command of the force, Victor Isuku, confirmed that the women who were sighted in Umulari village, along Maiduguri/Damboa road, near Mulai, by the military patrol team around 5:30 AM local time, had Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) strapped to their bodies.

As the officers shot at them, the IED on two of them exploded, killing all three, while the unexploded IED on the third woman, was rendered safe and detonated by Police bomb disposal Unit who promptly mobilized to the scene.

Foiled Attacks

This is another one in the series of foiled suicide bombing attacks by terrorists.

On Thursday November 3, a statement by a spokesman for the Nigerian Army, Colonel Sani Usman, said troops at a military location ‘gunned down’ a suspected suicide bomber who made attempts to attack the military formation.

The troops killed all the four attackers including two suicide bombers and also recovered some items from them in the operation.

However, Colonel Usman, stated that the military lost a soldier in the process.

Also on October 30, troops of the Operation Lafiya Dole, averted the plans of a suicide bomber along the same Damboa road in Maiduguri.

Eye witnesses said the suicide bomber was sighted along Damboa road, the same place where an explosion had occurred barely 24 hours earlier.

Troops Rescue 85 Boko Haram Captives In Chukungudu

Troops, Boko Haram, Chukungudu, Army, Operation Lafiya DoleTroops of Operation Lafiya Dole have rescued 85 persons comprising of mostly women and children held hostage by the Boko Haram insurgents.

The feat was achieved during a decisive clearance operation into the remnants of the terrorists’ strategic hub town of Chukungudu on the southern fringes of the Lake Chad region.

boko-haram

Troops of 7 Division Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding of the division, Brigadier General Victor Ezugwu, wiped out the terrorists’ camps in the northern parts of Borno State between Friday and Saturday.

The manoeuvring brigade, led by 3 Battalion of 22 Brigade, successfully cleared Geram, Bulankassa and Chukungudu believed to be the Boko Haram terrorists’ strongholds in the area in northeast Nigeria.

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Some of the rescued captives

A statement by Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, however, said they lost a soldier during the encounter.

“The troops neutralised five Boko Haram terrorist fighters in a fierce encounter that made several of the terrorists running into the Lake Chad waters.

“The troops recovered four rounds of Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, one double barrel gun, 349 packets containing various rounds of ammunition, three magazines, a link belt of machine gun ammunition and one AK-47 rifle magazine.

“During the clearance operations, the troops made spectacular discovery of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making factory at Geram.

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“In the factory, they found several already primed suicide bombers’ vests (while) they also discovered a well-equipped motor vehicles and motorcycles’ workshop (as well as) spare parts warehouse at Chukungudu village,” Colonel Usman said.

The Army spokesman added that they recovered three vehicles and several newly acquired motorcycles.

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Colonel Usman said that the IED factory, vehicles and motorcycles were destroyed in line with the Rules of Engagement.

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Bomb Explodes In Muna Garage, Maiduguri

Bomb Explodes In Muna Garage, MaiduguriA blast has occurred at Muna garage, a satellite community in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Residents of the community woke up on Wednesday morning to a loud bang which turned out to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), leaving many injured.

Rescue officials are still evacuating bodies of the injured and the casualty figure is yet to be ascertained.

The incidence occurred few meters to an unofficial Internally Displaced People’s camp, housing 16,000 people.

Security operatives have cordoned off the area, while other residents are going on with their normal activities.