Independence Day bombings: SSS arrests Lagos banker, others

Posted by admin Headlines Tuesday, October 11th, 2011

The State Security Service on Tuesday confirmed that it had arrested a banker ally of leader of Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Mr. Henry Okah, for allegedly coordinating the finances of the nation’s 50th Independence Day bombings in Abuja on October 1, 2010.

Okah and his younger brother, Charles Okah, as well as others are currently undergoing trial over the 2010 Independence Day bombings in South Africa and Abuja courts.

According to the SSS Assistant Director, Public Relations, Ms. Marilyn Ogar, the banker and a suspected expert in Improvised Explosive Devices were arrested in Lagos by operatives of the SSS.

The banker was said to have been arrested at his desk in a micro-finance bank.

Though Ogar ,who briefed journalists on the arrests in Abuja on Tuesday, did not mention the name of the arrested suspects, media report had previously named the banker as one Nonso Nnaemeka and the other suspect as Jessica David, who is also known as Segun.

The agency recovered an ash-coloured Isuzu Trooper jeep with registration number Lagos FE 452 LSR; Honda Accord car with number Lagos DM 257 FST and a 1989 model Toyota Camry Lagos DP 100 AAA which had special compartment for explosive materials and guns.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, the SSS Assistant Director, Public Relations, Ms. Marilyn Ogar explained that the two cars that were meant to be used for bombing were recovered in Lagos as well as the jeep.

She said, “You will recall that after the October 1, 2010 bombing near Eagle Square, the service had informed that five cars were meant to be used for the bombing. Two cars were detonated while one was later recovered in Port Harcourt, Rivers States and subsequently made public.

“On October 3, 2011, the two remaining cars which also had compartments constructed to be used for bombing were recovered in Lagos. Additionally, another grey coloured Isuzu Trooper jeep with specially constructed compartment and a capacity to carry over 200 AK 47 rifles was also recovered.”

She stated that the arrested banker was responsible for fund transfers to other suspects to facilitate gun-running activities in the creeks.

“The banker was arrested at his desk in Lagos and he will soon be arraigned in court along with other accomplices. The second suspect is alleged to be an expert in Improvised Explosive Devices and was a key figure in the October 1 bombings as he procured all the explosive devices used,” she stated.

According to Ogar, the second suspect, whose name she declined to disclose, packaged and wired the vehicles and finally moved them from Port Harcourt to Abuja for placement at the points of detonation.

She stated that the third suspect, who was arrested on October 3, 2011 was a key figure in the distribution of arms and ammunition to militants and other components that were used for the October bombing.

The SSS paraded items recovered from the suspects among which were three Browning pistols recovered from the special compartment of the Toyota Camry; 500 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and 175 live rounds of AK 47 rifle which were recovered from the Honda Accord car; four magazines loaded with 36 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and four hand gloves.

Others items include six face masks; two pairs of jungle boots; two red lends torch-lights; one red-coloured mechanic tool box; one measuring instrument; one electric saw; one welding machine and a panel saw.

-Vanguardwp_posts