Terror suspect arrested in Lagos

Joint operatives from Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the military have arrested a Chadian with explosives, arms and ammunition in Ijora Badiya on Lagos Mainland.

The operation and the arrest of the Chadian with bombs sent shivers down the spines of residents of the area who were suspecting that the dreaded terrorist group, Boko Haram, may have finally arrived in Lagos.

Daily Sun reliably gathered that the operation follows information from residents of Ijora Badiya that a strange man had been making some suspicious movements in the area. The suspect whose identity remains a secret for now, was alleged to have rented a mini-flat in the area since the past one month.

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The man was said to have been making some suspicious movements and after last Monday’s multiple bombings of the Luxury Bus Park in Kano metropolis, residents of Badiya became afraid and reported him to the DSS. The DSS was said to have mounted surveillance on the man and after confirming the fears of their informants, they contacted the military.

The efforts of the DSS and the military paid off as they arrested the suspect. When a search was conducted in the apartment, some explosives, two AK-47 rifles and some rounds of ammunition were recovered from him. Efforts to reach the Director of Lagos State command of the DSS proved abortive, as he did not pick his call.

When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ngozi Braide, said she was not aware of the operation. However, a dependable senior police officer at Ijora Badiya who confided in Daily Sun said that the story was true. He said though the police were not involved in the operation, the force moved in after the man was taken away. The police source said: “We later came to know that the man is a Chadian.

He rented the apartment about one month now.” A resident, who simply identified himself as Nweke, said: “We are suspecting that the man may have come with the intention to plant bomb in the motor parks in Ijora. We thank God that the man was arrested and the explosives recovered from him.”

Recall that the Islamist sect began its reign of terror soon after its leader, Mohammed was killed alongside many followers by security forces in 2009. Boko Haram which translates to Western Education is Evil, had targeted both Christians and Mulisms.

In the series of the deadly attacks, thousands of people have been killed through suicide bombings and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). In last Monday’s attack which occurred at the Luxury Bus Park in Kano metropolis, dozens of lives were killed.

These include passengers and hawkers. The Islamist sect targeted fully loaded luxury buses heading to Lagos and Port Harcourt. Police confirmed only 22 died in the Kano attack which attracted outrage and condemnations. The sect had, among others, claimed responsibility for the bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja which claimed several lives.

For instance, Boko Haram members on December 25, 2011 struck at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, killing 44 persons and injuring 75 others. The Islamist sect had been more pronounced in Yobe, Bauchi and Bono states, attacking police stations and prisons, freeing their detained members.

In the Madalla attack, alleged mastermind, Kabiru Sokoto, whose real name is Kabiru Ababakar Dikko, is facing a three-count terrorism charge at a Federal High Court, Abuja. (Via Sun News)