4 Boko Haram Suspects Arrested while attempting to bomb a church in Makurdi

Posted by admin Benue, Boko Haram, Breaking News, Latest Politics, State News Monday, February 20th, 2012

From George Okoh in Makurdi

Four suspected members of the Boko Haram sect were yesterday arrested at St.Theresa Catholic Church within the High Level Area of Makurdi, Benue State.
According to eyewitness, the four suspects had attempted to gain entry into the church while the second Mass was in progress at 10 a.m. when they were stopped by private security men on guard at the church. The four suspects who were dressed in Kaftan (long robes) aroused suspicion when they could not respond appropriately to questions put to them by police men attached to the church to beef up security. Some members of the church and security man at the gate who spoke under anonymity, said the suspects claimed they came in from Kaduna State on a visit to a yet to be identified person in Makurdi.
Parish Priest of the Church, Rev. John Tomdom, said he was yet to be briefed about the arrest of any suspect, saying: ‘I have just finished from the mass, and I am yet to receive information on the issue knowing fully well that there is no way I could have the knowledge of what was happening outside while I was inside the church.”
Confirming the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Alaribe Ejike, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, however said the suspects were not members of Boko Haram.

It will be recalled following the rumour that Benue state is on the invading list of the dreaded sect, the state government and religious leaders in the state have taking measures to beef up security in the places of worship, hence, some churches now have heavy presence of security agents manning their gates every Sunday.wp_posts