Three suspects, including a banker, have been arrested over two car bombings on last year’s Independence Day in Abuja, which killed at least 12 people, the State Security Service said yesterday.
One of the three men, who was declared wanted and said to be “an expert” in improvised explosive devices, “was a key figure in the October 1 bombings as he procured all the explosive devices used,” spokesman for the service Marilyn Ogar told journalists in Abuja.
He was traced to “a neighbouring country” and arrested in Lagos on Sunday, she said.
“He is believed to be an expert in Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) and was a key figure in the October 1st bombing as he procured all the explosive devices used; packaged and wired the vehicles and finally moved them to Abuja from Port Harcourt for final placement at the point of detonation,” Ogar said.
The second suspect, a banker, allegedly handled all financial transactions for Henry Okah, in the March 15 and October 1 car bombings respectively in Warri, Delta State, and Abuja.
“He was responsible for the fund transfers to the suspects to facilitate gun-running activities in the creek,” she said.
Few days after the bombing, the police declared two men, Ben Jessy and Chima Orlu, wanted over the attack.
The SSS had said 5 vehicles were earmarked for the October attack out of which two were detonated and one was recovered later in Port Harcourt. The two remaining vehicles which had compartments constructed to conceal explosives were found in Lagos. Another Isuzu jeep model (grey color) with similar compartment to carry over 200 AK-47 rifles was also recovered.
Three browning pistols were found in the constructed compartment of a Camry model car, while 500 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and 175 rounds of live AK-47 rifle ammunition were recovered from the constructed compartment of a Honda car.
Ogar said the items recovered from the suspects included 4 magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, 4 hand gloves, 6 face masks, 2 pairs of jungle boots, 2 red lens torch lights, 1 mechanic tool box and 1 measuring instrument.
Others are 1 electric saw, 1 welding machine, 1 panel saw, 1 sledge hammer, 1 filling/cutting machine, 2 knives and some documents.
She said investigation of terrorist activities is time consuming and require patience and all the investigation into the October attack was completed.
Read More...
