Nyanya bombings: Suspect pleads guilty to possessing IEDs

One of the suspected bombers of Nyanya and Kuje, both satellite towns in Abuja, on October 2, 2015, Abdulwaheed Nasiru, told a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday that he was guilty of being in possession of 12 Improvised Explosive Devices and other materials used for making bombs.

Boko Haram, Nyanya suspects

Nasiru, 23, was the youngest among the five persons arraigned before Justice Abdulkadir Abdul-Kafarati on five counts arising from the multiple bombings, which left scores dead and many others with varying degrees of injuries.

The fourth count which Nasiru pleaded guilty to had to do with being in possession of 12 IEDs and materials used for manufacturing them.

The rest of the accused persons – Abdulazeez Muhazab (26), Ishiaka Salihu (25), Mohammed Jimoh (33) and Abdullahi Nasiru (34), however, pleaded not guilty to all the five counts preferred against them.

The accused persons were arraigned for allegedly conspiring among themselves to carry out the bombings of Kuje town and Jikoyi park in Nyanya on October 2, resulting in “the death of scores of innocent citizens and many others who sustained varying degrees of injuries as well as destroying properties “contrary to sections 17 and 2(a) of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013.”

The prosecution alleged in the fifth count that between August and October 2015, Jimoh and Salihu were aiding Abdulazeez Muhazab (first defendant “to store and conceal” the items suspected to be used for manufacturing of IEDs, an act punishable under section 2(g) of the law.

The accused persons, who all hailed from Kogi State, were allegedly arrested with 12 IEDs and other materials used for manufacturing the explosives in Unguwar Ebira, Karamajiji area, behind Military Cemetery, along Airport Road in Abuja, on October 6.

The materials they were allegedly arrested with included 27 pieces of detonators, aluminium powder, hexomine, hydrogen peroxide, sulphur powder, sodium azide plus nitrate, iron II oxide, soldiering wire, sugar, pH litmus paper, sodium carbonate and thermometer.

Others were chlorate, filter paper, strings, potassium chlorate, 12 ready-made IEDs and a full bag of fertilizer.

Justice Abdul-Kafarati ordered that the accused persons be moved from the police custody to Kuje prison for remand after their arraignment on Thursday.

While admitting his guilt of the fourth count during the arraignment proceedings, Nasiru said he was not the owner of the IED items but his friends.

“I’m guilty, but no be me get am, na my friend get am,” he said in pidgin English.

The charges were read and interpreted to him and the fifth accused person, Abdullahi Nasiru, (they are not related) in pidgin English.

He had earlier pleaded not guilty to the first three counts of conspiracy and the carrying out of the bombings in the separate locations.

He remained adamant that he was guilty of the charge of the possession of the IEDs and the other materials when asked if he understood the particular count.

Defence lawyer, Mr. Nurein Sulyman, jumped up from his seat and approached the dock to ask him if he truly understood what he pleaded guilty to, but he stuck to his guilty plea.

Lead prosecuting counsel and the Director, Public Prosecutions of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Diri, said he would still lead evidence to prove the guilt of all the accused persons, including Nasiru, with regard to the count he had confessed to.

Nyanya bombings: Suspect pleads guilty to possessing IEDs

Boko Haram has killed at least 1,600 people since June -Amnesty Int’l

Amnesty International said last month that the Boko Haram conflict had killed at least 1,600 people since the start of June in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon and called for more protection for civilians.

Abubakar Shekau

An AFP tally puts the death toll at more than 1,320 in Nigeria alone since Muhammadu Buhari became president on May 29.

Boko Haram claimed responsibility for three suicide attacks in the satellite towns of Kuje and Nyanya outside Nigeria’s capital Abuja on October 2, which killed a total of 18 people and injured 41.

On Tuesday, Nigeria’s most senior police officer, Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase, said two people had been arrested on suspicion of masterminding the blasts.

The suspects’ identities were not disclosed but Arase said in a statement the arrests had “foiled another attempt… to undertake further attacks in the FCT (Federal Capital Territory)”.

Items recovered from the suspects included 12 “prepared and primed” home-made explosives concealed in soft drink cans, 28 electronic detonator parts and a “large quantity” of bomb-making equipment, he added.

Nigeria’s military has claimed a series of successes in recent months and has characterised the upsurge in attacks on civilian targets as desperation on the part of the Islamic State group-alled militants.

Attacks have also continued across the border. At the weekend, 41 people were killed and another 48 injured in triple explosions in Baga Sola, on the Chadian side of Lake Chad, where Nigeria meets Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

One targeted a fish market and two a refugee camp for those displaced by the violence.

Boko Haram has killed at least 1,600 people since June -Amnesty Int’l

Photos: Faces of Boko Haram members behind Abuja explosions

Following last Friday’s multiple suicide bombings in Nyanya and Kuje areas of Abuja, which left 18 people dead and 45 injured, Boko Haram militants, claiming loyalty to Islamic State (Isis), in a statement, yesterday on Twitter, said they were behind the bombings.

Recall that sometime in March 2015, Boko Haram renamed itself Islamic State’s West Africa Province (Iswap). The leader of Isis, a militant group that controls parts of Syria and Iraq, however accepted the pledge of allegiance from Boko Haram, in May 2015.

Eventhough, the authenticity of the statement, which issued under the name Iswap, could not be verified, the group released the photos of three male suicide bombers who it said were behind Friday’s deadly attacks.

See photos:

Boko Haram claims this is one of the suicide bombers behind Abuja explosions on Friday, October 2, 2015.

Boko Haram claims this is one of the suicide bombers behind Abuja explosions on Friday, October 2, 2015.

Boko Haram claims this is one of the suicide bombers behind Abuja explosions on Friday, October 2, 2015.

Boko Haram claims this is one of the suicide bombers behind Abuja explosions on Friday, October 2, 2015.

Photos: Faces of Boko Haram members behind Abuja explosions

Abuja bombings: Police comb IDP camps for suspects

There are strong indications that the police are combing camps of the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in Abuja as part of investigations into the multiple blasts that claimed 20 lives in Nyanya and Kuje, two satellite towns in the Federal Capital Territory, last Friday.

Police Inspector General, Solomon Arase

It was learnt on Sunday that investigators were working on the theory that insurgents might have infiltrated the IDP camps located in different parts of the FCT.

It was gathered that detectives had been dispatched to some of the camps as part of efforts to get to the root of the blasts.

No fewer than 3,000 persons displaced by Boko Haram in the North-East are living in different parts of the FCT, including Durumi, Area one, New Kuchingoro, Games Village, Pegi village, and Kuje.

Sources informed our correspondent on Sunday that the police were not ruling out the possibility that the explosions might have been carried out by terrorists who had been hiding among the displaced persons in the FCT.

A source said, “The bombings could not have been carried out by terrorists from outside Abuja, but by insurgents who have been hiding in the FCT, particularly among the IDPs.

“The police are focusing on the displaced persons because they believe some of them could be Boko Haram sympathisers, who are working for the sect.”

When contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, said investigation was ongoing, adding that no arrest had been made.

When asked if investigation was being extended to IDPs, the police spokesperson said she could not disclose the focus of the probe for now.

“Investigation is ongoing and the focus is general, so we cannot specify the focus of the investigation for now,” she said.

A senior security officer stated that the location of IDP camps in FCT was not a wise idea from a security point of view, noting that in other countries, such camps were located very far from the nation’s capital and ran by the military.

He said, “I participated in a peace-keeping mission in Darfur and I can tell you that the closest IDP camp to Khartoum (Sudan’s capital) was about two hours’ drive. No IDP camp was located close to the capital because some of the displaced persons could be terrorists hiding in the camp.”

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Muhammadu Sani-Sidi, had earlier in June, 2015, branded the IDP camps in FCT as illegal, noting that they were not recognised by his agency.

However, the agency did not take any action to dismantle the camps or make alternative arrangements for resettlement outside the FCT.

Commenting on the blast, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Tsav, said security agencies must pay attention to events at IDP camps, noting that some persons there could constitute a security threat.

He said, “What I expected from the police and the Department of State Services is to send some of their personnel to the camps to mingle with the IDPs in order to get information on what is happening.

“During the colonial era, this is how the police got information and intelligence ─ by sending plain-clothes operatives to mix with the people to obtain information. I don’t know why our security agencies find it difficult to do this and obtain critical intelligence to combat the security challenge facing the country.”

Victims speak on moments before explosions

Lying on his sick bed, Jeffrey Imieh, a victim caught in one of the Abuja bomb explosions on Friday, said despite everything, he thanked God for being alive. Imieh, who is a worker of the Federal Road Safety Corps, told our correspondent on Sunday that he felt encouraged after President Muhammadu Buhari visited them at the National Trauma Centre of the National Hospital, Abuja.

He said, “I see this situation as a call for renewal and wholehearted service to God. One thing that also encouraged me is the visit of the President to victims of the explosions. He stood just right where you are standing now and told me that there was still more in life for me.”

Imieh stated that he was caught up in the second blast at the Kuje Market on Friday.

Another victim of the incident, who was seen crying on his bed at the National Trauma Centre of the National Hospital, Abuja, could not state his name. When asked to give his name, he responded, “I’m still in shock! Please just thank God for me. Just thank God for me.”

It was later gathered that the petty trader who was selling wares to the victim was killed by the explosion. The victim, according to hospital officials, was saved by a whisker, as the explosion pushed him far, damaging one of his limbs.

A suya seller, Muhammadu Lawal, who was a victim of the bombings, said he had strange feelings on the day of the incident.

He said, “When I woke up that Friday morning, I discovered that I was having some feelings that something bad might happen to me. So I prayed to Allah and went out for the day’s business. I am a suya seller in Kuje and our business booms at night. So around 7pm, I started roasting meats for my customers. Not long after that, we heard a loud noise. That was all I could remember. I was told by the nurses here that I was brought here yesterday from Kuje hospital.

“Since I came here, no relation has come to visit me apart from my wife. I sustained serious wounds on my head, my arms, my two laps, and some burns at my back.”

Sulaiman Kusa, a labourer in Kuje said he and his best friend, Hamisu, left home to visit a relative in Kuje.

“Three of us were standing on the road having some discussions. Suddenly, we heard a loud noise that sounded like thunder. My friend was torn into pieces, while my brother and I fell to the ground.

“We couldn’t walk and we were in that position for about an hour before people took us to the hospital. My head, arm and leg were seriously affected. My brother also sustained injuries but he is also recovering fast. I found it difficult to believe that Hamisu is gone,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of NH, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, on Sunday said demand for blood did not imply that there was shortage of blood in the hospital.

He said, “Seventeen patients are with us in the trauma centre and they are all okay.

“We have 12 bodies now, there are no fresh casualties. The seven months old baby we have is very stable.

“We are still asking people to come and donate blood, but not that we are experiencing shortage of blood.”

Abuja bombings: Police comb IDP camps for suspects

Security agents to look beyond Boko Haram in Abuja, Kuje"s explosion

Security agaents may be looking beyond the Boko Haram sect in their investigation into weekend’s explosions in Kuje and Nyanya in Abuja, The Nation learnt yesterday.

Victims of Nyanya and Kuje bomb blast in Abuja

“It may be an opportunistic crime by people with other motives. Boko Haram is not ruled out but nothing is also ruled out. It’s investigation that can determine the true situation and the investigation is in full swing,” a security source said.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal and Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari led the government team to the explosion site on Saturday.

Yesterday, security agents were still combing the Kuje site for evidence. The place remained cordoned off.  No activities were allowed. Residents and pedestrians were still shocked. No fewer than 20 people died from the explosions. The 41 injured are being treated in hospitals.

Vehicles coming into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were being thoroughly searched.  Security operatives at checkpoints within the city especially those along the Airport road

At the Giri junction through to the Airport Express way, there was traffic hold up as a resut of the search.

Vehicles spent close to 45 minutes to pass thorough the military checkpoint.

Churches within the city and the satellite towns yesterday strengthened security.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also suggested that security should not limit the investigation to Boko Haram.

In a statement yesterday, NLC President Ayuba Wabba said: “Our security agencies should not limit their intelligence or investigation to Boko Haram as there have also been recent reports that some militant groups in the Niger Delta region planned to resume violent attacks against Nigerians and the Nigerian State as a corporate entity.”

The statement added: “The attacks may have been a devious façade to rubbish the victories of our national army and other security agencies in the battle to rid our country of terrorism and all its residues before the global community. They want the world to believe our country is not safe.

“For us at the Nigeria Labour Congress, we believe this latest attacks should not weaken the morale of the forces involved in the battle against terrorism in our country, rather it should reinvigorate their fighting spirit and be seen by government as a challenge to arm our forces with more sophisticated and superior weapons both for intelligence gathering and combat.

“Beyond these, we urge our government to order the immediate reinvestigation, arrest and prosecution of all those previously indicted of sponsoring terror gangs, especially Boko Haram and other such violent groups in any part of the country.

“The freedom of those who sponsor deadly violence put the entire country seated on timed bombs that can explode at will. No matter how highly placed, whoever have been indicted should immediately be apprehended and reinvestigated now.

“We urge all Nigerians to see the battle against terrorism as our collective battle and therefore every resident must make information about suspicious movements or behaviours in and around them available to relevant security agencies who must act on such information in our collective national interests.

“We condole with the families of all the victims of these attacks and urge government to ensure provision of the best medical attention and treatment for the injured.”

To the NLC, bombings “obviously by decimated terrorists” are  a call for communal vigilance by all residents. “It  has become obvious that since the massive pounding of the sanctuaries of the terrorists, fragments of the terror cliques may have organised smaller cells in communities hitherto thought not to be vulnerable.

“These latest attacks are particularly dangerous as they were carried out at night and in locations where late purchases are made. One of the locations, Kuje, is on the route to our major international airport,” the NLC said.

Security agents to look beyond Boko Haram in Abuja, Kuje"s explosion

My government determine to stamp out Boko Haram - Buhari

• Condemns Nyanya, Kuje bomb attack

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday condemned the latest terror attacks in Abuja, Maiduguri and Yola.

President Buhari

In a statement he personally signed, Buhari observed that the Friday attacks in the three cities were apparently timed to coincide with Independence Day celebrations when Nigerians should be rejoicing.

The President commiserated with the families of the dead and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

He said he had instructed security forces and other local authorities to maintain extra vigilance to forestall future attacks.

The President said his government was determined to stamp out the Boko Haram sect and bring all sponsors to justice.

Buhari said, “These cowardly attacks expose the real face of the planners and perpetrators of these crimes.

“What quarrel do they have with the good people of Nyanya motor park? What issue do they have with innocent people in market places in Maiduguri, Yola and Kuje?

“It is clear this battle is not ideological. It is between the forces of peace and order and the evil forces of murder and destruction.

“Security forces and other local authorities have been instructed to maintain extra vigilance to forestall future attacks. The Armed Forces have been empowered to crush what remains of Boko Haram.

“This government is determined to stamp out Boko Haram and all other terrorists of whatever persuasions and bring all sponsors to justice.”

My government determine to stamp out Boko Haram - Buhari

Abuja blasts: Dead toll rises to 18, says NEMA

The death toll in the multiple bomb blasts in Abuja on Friday night has risen to 18, the National Emergency Management Agency has said.

Victims of Nyanya and Kuje bomb blast in Abuja

The Senior Information Officer of the agency, Sani Datti, told one of our correspondents that two victims of the blasts, which occurred in Kuje, lost their lives on Saturday, while one of those caught in the Nyanya explosion died at one of the hospitals.

Datti said, “The casualty figure has risen to 18; it was 15 as of yesterday (Friday), but two victims of the Kuje blasts died today (Saturday). One of those caught in the blast at Nyanya also died today (Saturday) at one of the hospitals. So three more deaths were recorded, bringing the total figure to 18.”

The Federal Government had earlier stated that the number might change as some of the victims were in critical condition at different hospitals where they were being treated.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal, disclosed this at the Trauma Centre of the National Hospital, Abuja.

Lawal visited the hospital alongside other senior functionaries of the Federal Government after they received a directive from the President to visit the locations.

He said, “The President directed us to go round and assess the damages arising from the bomb blast of yesterday (Friday). The suicide bombers operated at three locations, Nyanya motor park, the Kuje Police Station and the Kuje market.

“The main purpose of our visit is to commiserate with those that have lost their loved ones, some of whom are going through identification process.”

On the number of casualties, Lawal explained, “The tentative figures that we have indicate that there were a total of 17 deaths as at the time we visited the hospitals. At the Nyanya motor park, there were three deaths that included two of the suicide bombers. At the two Kuje scenes, we recorded 14 deaths including one suicide bomber.

“Scores of people were injured at all three sites. Some were with minor injuries and were treated and discharged at the several hospitals. Those with serious injuries were brought to this Trauma Centre and they are receiving treatment. Of course, the level of treatment will be diverse because the injuries are different.”

Our correspondents observed the presence of security operatives at the National Hospital on Saturday as they thoroughly searched vehicles and pedestrians visiting the hospital.

While a group of policemen were stationed at the main gate of the National Hospital, others were sighted some meters away from the main gate as they strategically positioned their pick-up truck in the area.

Abuja blasts: Dead toll rises to 18, says NEMA

Abuja bombings in photos

Multiple explosions rocked Nyanya and Kuje area of Abuja, yesterday. See the incidence in photo.

Highlights

Blood stains at the scene of the Blast.

Anti Bomb squad at another scene of Bomb Attack at Kuje Police Station .

 

Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan.

Abuja bombings in photos