Soldiers Foil Boko Haram’s Fresh Bid To Bomb Abuja

Posted by admin Abuja (FCT), Boko Haram, State News Saturday, October 1st, 2011

SECURITY operatives have foiled an attempt by about 920 suspected members of Boko Haram to infiltrate the federal capital, Abuja ostensibly to carry out the earlier threat by the group to bomb the city during today’s 51st Independence Anniversary celebration.

Saturday Tribune gathered that the operatives rounded them up, as they were trying to sneak into the city through different routes between the FCT and neighbouring Niger and Adamawa states.

The operation was reportedly carried out by the operatives of Military Intelligence and Brigade of Guards, with the suspects comprising mostly Nigerians, Sudanese and Chadians.

It is recalled that the nation was thrown into mourning on October 1, 2010 following the bombing of the Eagle Square, the venue of Nigeria’s golden jubilee celebrations.

It was gathered that the foreigners were obviously on a mischief mission, as they could not explain to security agencies what they were coming into Abuja to do.

The sources said that several arms and ammunition, including AK 47 rifles were recovered from the suspects who had been grilled towards providing some useful information that could assist security operatives while the suspects have been interrogated and relevant information collected from them which led the security agencies into unmasking those behind recent bombings in Abuja and some other parts of the country.

According to the sources, the operatives are working round the clock to arrest more suspects in Suleija in Niger State and in Nasarawa State, said to be the suspected hideouts of a few Boko Haram members in hiding.

Investigations revealed that most of the suspects arrested had been distributed into various cells of the security agencies where vital information are being collated as the government has not taken chances to ensure that the sect did not make good its threat on October 1.

The source said, most of the suspects would be repatriated to their home countries after interrogation for prosecution while those who are Nigerians will face justice in the country.

Towards this end, following the arrest of the aliens, the Federal Government has reportedly directed the Nigerian Immigration Service to be fully on the alert as most of the suspects would be deported this weekend. Also, all the security agencies in the FCT have to carry out 24 hour security checks because of the separate threats by Boko Haram and MEND on key installations in Abuja.

Security from the boundary of Kogi State and FCT has been stationed, while the operatives searched vehicle booths and engines thoroughly.

-Tribunewp_posts