How Police aborted plot to bomb Borno State on Sallah Day

*Cross section of the suspected bandits

                                   
PLANS by a gang of armed robbers to wreak havoc in Maiduguri, Borno State capital by bombing strategic locations during the forthcoming Sallah day has backfired following the arrest of the ringleaders after a robbery operation.

In fact, reports said the police was able to nip this in the bud after the Commissioner of Police in the state, Simeon Midenda, set up a special crack squad with marching directives to carry out discreet investigations and patrol of volatile areas with a view to tackling the menace of members of Boko Haram and activities of other criminals who have been carrying out raids on banks in the state.


This move paid off handsomely after a gang of unidentified armed robbers invaded one of the first generation banks in the state capital, killed a police corporal and made away with N21.9 million.  Luckily, a member of the gang was later arrested and he sang like a canary.


This led to the arrest of others who confessed that they were planning to raise money for a major operation which is bombing strategic locations in the state.

Briefing newsmen on Wednesday at the state command headquarters, the Commissioner of police, Mr. Simeon Midenda, who said the circumstances were similar to those of Boko Haram disclosed that on October 12 this year, a group of unidentified dare devil armed robbers with sophisticated weapons invaded First Bank Nigeria plc, Damboa LGA branch, killed Coporal Yohanna Ishaya, a policeman on guard duty and robbed the bank of N21.9 million and escaped to an unknown destination.

Following a tip off, one Shettima Sheriff was arrested in connection with the robbery incident. During interrogation, Mindenda said, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime and named his colleagues who are still at large.

The CP said investigation further revealed that this gang also carried out the robbery attack on the same bank in May this year, as well as the Kala Balge local government salary robbery in which an Inspector, a Constable and the cashier of that local council, were killed.

Midenda said the suspect during interrogation, further revealed that the Damboa Bank robbery where he was the initiator was to raise funds for an operation to be carefully carried out in Maiduguri during the forthcoming Ed- EL Kabir Sallah day slated for Sunday next week.

The police boss explained that during a search conducted in the suspect’s house, one SMG Rifle (French made) with 104 rounds of live ammunition, empty ammunition chain, two Improvised Explosive Devices, otherwise called bombs made in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital, two pairs of military uniform, three empty ammunition boxes, three gallons of highly inflammable ABRO liquid, were recovered.

He noted that with this arrest and recovery, the Command has averted what could have been described as a major disaster that was to befall Maiduguri residents and mar peaceful celebration of the forthcoming Sallah.

In a similar development, a suspect, Idi Umar who Midenda identified as one of armed robbers terrorizing Maiduguri Metropolis, trailing motorists to their homes and snatching their vehicles at gun point, was arrested.

The suspect reportedly confessed that his gang snatched vehicle of one Nuhu Alahassan, a former Chairman of Kwaya Kusar Council are based on tip off. The Police boss added that his confession led to the recovery of one AK47 Rifles with 57 rounds of live ammunition.  in addition to numerous vehicle number plates and vehicle particulars of different models were recovered.

Midenda stated that while the recovered vehicles have already been claimed by the owners, members of the public, particularly those whose vehicles have been stolen, should come forward to give the police circumstances that made them loose their items to the gang to aid further investigation.

House breaking in the metropolis

He also stressed that those who specialized in house/shop breaking within the metropolis have been arrested by his command. He listed the suspects as: Saleh Ibrahim, Ba’ana Modu, Mohammed Adamu and Abubakar Usman alias Ande, all of Jajeri ward which is one of the restive places in Maiduguri.

During a search in their various houses, property recovered include four gold hand bangles valued at about N1.5milion, seven boxes, two LG Home Theatres, six mattresses, two china made carpets and assorted wearing apparels.

The CP further said, following another tip off, two members of a gang of thieves who specialized in theft of high capacity generating sets from various council areas of the state have been arrested.

The suspected gang members – Mohammed Bulama, alias DD, and Idi Mohammed were arrested at Guzamala check point after allegedly stealing a 100KVA generator from Abbari village meant for water borehole operation. The suspects, according to Midenda, have already been charged to court.

Similarly, Midenda said his command has smashed a gang of extortionists who create fear in the mind of the public to extort money and property. He explained that Abubakar Mustapha has already been arrested.
By NDAHI MARAMA
Vanguard!!!