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Tag: Bombers

  • Troops arrest suspected pipeline bombers in N’Delta

    Troops arrest suspected pipeline bombers in N’Delta

    Troops of Operation Pulo Shield (OPS), formerly known as Joint Task Force (JTF) have arrested some suspects for the recent attacks of oil pipelines and installations in the Niger Delta region.

    The Commander, OPS, Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola, in a statement signed by the Coordinator, Joint Media Campaign Centre, Col. Ado Isa, said the suspects were undergoing investigations.

    Okunlola said the investigations would determine the culpability of suspects before transferring them to relevant prosecuting agencies.

    He said the troops were on manhunt for other hoodlums who were on the run.

    But the commander failed to indicate the number of persons arrested by the operatives.

    He said: “The success of the arrest was due to highly intensified patrols and cordon-and-search operations on the waterways, creeks and communities by the outfit.”

    Suspected militants recently vandalised some oil and gas pipelines across the Niger Delta including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation gas pipeline in Egwa 1, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State and Agip pipelines in Brass LGA of Bayelsa State.

    Okunlola further said that the troops had intensified patrols and cordon-and-search within their Area of Responsibility (AoR).

    The commander also assured the people of Niger Delta of the OPS’ determination to tackle all acts of illegalities in the region.

    He appealed to them to give useful information that would aid the Joint Force in its operations in line with its mandate in the Niger Delta.

    He further warned the perpetrators of the crimes to desist from further destruction of oil facilities or be ready to face the full wrath of the law.

    Also, the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) called on the host communities to protect oil and gas pipelines in their domains against vandalism to save the environment from widespread pollution.

    The National Coordinator, CEPEJ, Mr. Sheriff Mulade, urged oil-rich communities to see the installations in their domain as theirs and ensure vandals steer clear of them.

    Mulade bemoaned incessant destruction of pipelines by vandals insisting that the quest for ill-gotten wealth was destroying the environment.

    He said the damage done to the environment by pipeline vandals would take many years to reclaim and warned against self-destruction arising from illegal bunkering by the locals.

    He said: “People should know that they are polluting their environment through vandalism and this illicit trade.  The effect of pollution on the environment is massive especially the health hazards, erosion of livelihoods and all that.

    “Therefore, we should know that when we destroy the environment, we are intentionally destroying ourselves because the environment is our only heritage.”

    Mulade said adequate measures should be put in place to check the unwholesome activities of oil thieves and vandals and advised security agencies to adopt intelligence gathering mechanism to track the perpetrators.

    He also advised the Federal Government to investigate security agents stationed at the facilities following allegations that they were conniving with vandals for their selfish interest.

  • Three suspected female suicide bombers, six others die in blasts

    Three suspected female suicide bombers, six others die in blasts

    Three suspected female suicide bombers on Tuesday attacked a night market at Sajeri in the Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State.

    They reportedly attacked Tuka Tuka night market and a tea shop and simultaneously detonated explosives, killing nine people. Nineteen others were injured.

    Eyewitnesses said the suspects attacked the area about 8:30pm.

    An operative of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), Maisaji Adamu, said the suspected bombers came to Sajeri by crossing River Ngadabull.

    He went on: “One of the suspects asked people the direction of Damboa Road, but nobody suspected her.

    “Barely five minutes after the second blast, one of the suspects asked about the location of Damboa Road.”

    Maisaji said the bodies were deposited in the mortuary and the injured were receiving treatment.

    Army acting spokesman Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman said seven people died and 11 were injured.

    Troops of the 5 Brigade yesterday ambushed suspected Boko Haram insurgents, who last week allegedly attacked Geidam and military posts in Yobe State.

    Col. Usman said the incident occurred when the suspected terrorists were returning from Gajiram town, near Ngollom village in Borno State.

    He said 10 suspected militias were killed and weapons were recovered.

  • Bombers strike in Borno

    Bombers strike in Borno

    Suicide bombers struck yesterday in beleaguered Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    The two suicide bombers blew themselves up near a hospital 10 kilometres away from the camp where Vice President Yemi Osinbajo sympathised with the over one million victims of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    He pledged the Federal Government’s support for them.

    Apart from the bombers who died, the explosions  injured two people. It happened at about 11.30 a.m. near the gates of the Molai Leprosy/General Hospital.

    Suicide bombers killed three people and injured 16 last Saturday.

    “The second blast occurred two minutes after the first one, killed the bomber and injured two other people nearby,” said Mohammed Haruna, who helped to evacuate people from the scene yesterday.

    Sources said the two bombers blew each other off before entering the hospital. The thunderous   sounds of the blast threw residents, patients and hospital workers into confusion.

    Eye witnesses said the first suicide bomber detonated his explosives, injuring two passersby, The other, who was riding on a bicycle, accidentally detonated his explosives at the back of the hospital before getting to the fence. He died without killing or injuring anybody.

    A security source said the suicide bombers were suspected to  have sneaked into Maiduguri from the Sambisa forest.

    After visiting the IDPs, the Vice President said the Federal Government’s priority is to resettle the over one million displaced by the insurgency in Borno State.

    Osinbajo said: “I am particularly here to visit the IDPs, the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the hospitals, IDPs at the camps, access the situation they are into or on ground, particularly the condition of the IDPs and the role the state and federal government have played in the maintenance and security or safety of the displaced persons and other citizens of the state.

    “The next thing the Federal Government will do immediately is to resettle the over one million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Borno State.”

    Osinbajo praised the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) after his visit at the hospital and the IDPs camps.

    “The Borno State government has done well and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has excellently done a good job in providing welfare to the IDPs and security as well,” Osinbajo said.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari would fulfill his promise to assist the IDPs to kick- start a new life, stressing that “what is uppermost before the Federal Government now is to see that the I DPs are returned to their various communities, but we have to ensure that in their communities, houses, schools, health centres and all the government functionaries or structures are rehabilitated, reconstructed, rebuilt, conducive and safe for their return as security has to be also adequately provided.”

    At the palace of the Shehu of Borno, the vice president told His Royal Majesty Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn Umar El Kanemi, that his visit would afford the Federal Government the opportunity to know what facilities and materials are required and how much it will cost to rebuild all the structures destroyed by the insurgent in the 22 local governments ravaged by the crisis.

    The Shehu urged Buhari to redeem his pledge to rebuild all the communities and provide jobs to the teeming youths, more especially into the military and para military outfits.

    He praised Buhari and Osinbajo for their concern for the IDPs.

    Osinbajo visited also IDPs at the Federal Training Centre, Dalori Camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

  • Two female suicide bombers hit GSM market in Potiskum

    Two female suicide bombers hit GSM market in Potiskum

    Five people including two female suicide bombers were killed after a noon attack yesterday on a GSM market in Potiskum, Yobe State.

    According to eyewitness, the bombers were dropped off by an unsuspecting tricycle rider near the market.

    They later detonated the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) they hid under their clothes in the midst of unsuspecting crowd, killing themselves in the process.

    A nurse at the Potiskum General Hospital said: “We have three dead bodies at the moment. The two suicide bombers also died. There are so many people wounded. There are 46 people that are wounded. With the number of these people wounded, there is a possibility that the death toll will rise because some of the injuries are critical.” the source informed.

    “Five persons were brought to the morgue of the Potiskum General Hospital from the scene of the bomb blast, including two females who were said to have detonated the explosives.

    “The 46 persons brought injured with varied injuries are currently receiving treatment at the hospital (Potiskum General Hospital).”

    ”With the severity of injuries, the death toll may rise as some are “holding on to a tiny thread of life.”

    Describing the scene of horror, Adamu Saidu, a trader in the market who escaped the attack said the sound of the blast set the whole market in confusion.

    “I was attending to a customer in my shop when I heard a loud sound. I fell down but woke up to see many people running in all direction. Everybody was confused. I saw some people on the ground in pains. I saw the bodies of the two female suicide bombers cut into two,” Saidu explained.

  • Fear of hijab grips Kano residents as female bombers break loose

    Fear of hijab grips Kano residents as female bombers break loose

    The trend is evil, callous, wicked, un-Islamic and, in fact, very barbaric… I can confirm to you that people now feel uncomfortable when they sight a young girl in hijab. I have noticed this a number of times

    Although the wave of terror attacks engineered by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents is being contained by security agencies in Kano, the commercial hub of Northern Nigeria and one of the most populous states in Nigeria, a strategy adopted by insurgents to carry out bombings is causing panic and apprehension among residents.

    While the dreaded sect has adopted many tricks to facilitate the killings and bombings they are carrying out in the North East and some other parts of the country, the one that has elicited the most concern among Kano residents is the use of under-age girls, who hide explosives under their hijabs. Both the Muslims and the Christians in the state have never expressed any objection to the use of hijab. But while they see the hijab as morally, religiously and socially acceptable, they have taken exception to its use by innocent-looking teenagers who act as agents of the dreaded sect to conceal bombs.

    “The trend is evil, callous, wicked, un-Islamic and, in fact, very barbaric,” said Mallam Abdulkarim Isah, a Kano-based social critic. “I can confirm to you that people now feel uncomfortable when they sight a young girl in hijab. I have noticed this a number of times.

    “In fact, I remember vividly what happened in a bus when I was coming from Naibawa to Bata Junction. Two young girls were sitting on the second row of the bus and were wearing hijabs, while I sat with the driver. I noticed that passengers refused to join the bus as the driver stopped at bus stops. I later realised that as the passengers looked in and saw the two hijab-wearing girls, they would retreat. It is as bad as that, and I am sure it is a development that needs urgent attention.”

    Mallam Isah, however, cautioned that it would be unnecessary to call for a ban of hijab in a highly Muslim community like Kano. He called on the security agencies to put heads together and come up with a better strategy that can solve the hijab issue without arousing sentiments.

    He said: “It is an issue that deserves careful attention. If security agencies take it up without caution, they might end up arousing religious sentiments and that will be disastrous for Kano. I think the whole thing boils down to reorientation.

    “The government, religious organisations, traditional rulers and opinion leaders have a major role to play. We need to talk to people from community meetings to the churches and mosques, up to the schools and places of work.

    “Most of the children who engage in such self-destructive activities are brainwashed. Some of them, like we can see in the last case of a 13-year-old-girl who refused to detonate the IEDs she was given, can tell you that these mad men in the garb of religion can go more than the extra-mile to recruit people to kill.

    “These are innocent girls who can be recruited by their own parents! This is arrant nonsense. Poverty.”

    On December 23, the police in Kano confirmed the arrest of a 13-year-old female suicide bomber and an accomplice who allegedly participated in the twin-bomb blasts that occurred on December 10, 2014 at the famous Kantin Kwari Market in the city, claiming 10 lives and injuring nine others. However, the 13-year-old suicide bomber, Zarau Babangida, who hails from Damaturu, Yobe State, confessed to reporters that she was recruited into Boko Haram activities by her parents, who lived in Bauchi State.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Aderenle Shinaba, who was flanked by the State Director of the Directorate of Security Service (DSS), said the arrest of the 13-year-old bomber and her accomplice was a result of the synergy between the police, the DSS, Army, Air force, Customs, Immigration, Prisons and NSCDC. Shinaba said the 13-year-old was arrested in an hospital where she was being treated after a commercial tricycle operator alerted the security agents that a suspected female suicide bomber had dropped an unknown item in his tricycle. Security agents swooped into action and subsequently arrested her.

    In her account, Zarau Babangida, narrated how she was recruited as a female suicide bomber wearing the hijab. She further stated that her parents took her to the Boko Haram training camp in Bauchi, where one of the trainers asked her whether she wanted to go to paradise. “He told me that if I refused, I would be buried alive. I had no option but to agree with his stand that I would like to make it to Paradise.

    “He told me that I had an assignment to carry out in Kano. After the necessary training, he told me that I and two other female bombers would travel to Kano to execute the assignment. After the executing the assignment, we would now be entitled to make paradise.

    “When we got to Kano, they took us straight to Kantin Kwari Market. When it was time for the execution, the accomplice told us to divide ourselves and take positions. The other two female suicide bombers detonated their concealed bombs while on my part, I vehemently refused to ignite mine.

    “As a result of my closeness to the two female bombers, I was injured on my left leg by the explosions.

    Due to the injury I sustained, I shouted for help. The commercial tricycle operator, who sympathised with me, took me to Dawanau, where we resided with my parents before.

    “However, before I dropped from the tricycle, I successfully removed the bomb concealed in my body and left it on the seat of the tricycle. When the tricycle operator saw it on the seat, he immediately dashed into the house where I was taking treatment and asked me whether I was the owner of the exhibit and I said it was mine.

    “At that time, I was about to be taken to the hospital. So, before the tricycle operators alerted the security agents, I was already in the hospital where I was being treated for the injury I sustained from the explosion. That was how I was arrested by the security agents at the hospital.

    “My parents enlisted me into Boko Haram activities because I did not know where they were taking me to. They handed me over to one of my trainers, who asked me whether I wanted to go to paradise and I answered in the affirmative. I will like to make paradise.”

    On August 2014, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Aderenle Shinaba, soaked with emotion, condemned the killing of nine persons and the injuring of six others by the two other female suicide bombers, saying: ”We are in very difficult times; a situation that is assuming a new dimension of suicide bombing in the state. This one that happened here at the Administrative block of Kano State Polytechnic on Bayero University Kano road is frightening.

    “The incident occurred at about 3:30 pm. This situation calls for vigilance on the part of every one of us because we have tried as much as possible to deploym police officers in every strategic location.

    “So, at this critical time, what is required is intelligence and vigilance on the part of everybody. Even when we have policemen everywhere, we require information as well as the vigilance of everyone of us.

    “A situation where somebody is carrying explosives, what business does such a person have with graduates who are assembled to check their results of the Batch NYSC deployment? It is

    disheartening to note that when you see somebody around, who is looking like a primary or secondary school student to disguise with her hijab in our midst without anybody taking note.

    “We have been telling people about the issue of female teenage suicide bombers, which calls for the law enforcement agencies to be on the alert. Look for hijab-wearing female suicide bombers. Sentiments and religion should not be the issue. We should face the reality of tackling it headlong so as to avoid future occurrence.’’

    The Kano State Polytechnic incident was not the first time a female suicide bomber would terrorise the ancient city. On Monday, July 28, a female suicide bomber killed three persons at the NNPC Mega Station at Hotoro Quarters. The suicide bomber joined the kerosene queue at the station and detonated the bomb minutes later.

    The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Adenerele Tasheed Shinaba, confirmed the blast and said three persons were killed and 10 others injured.

    On the same day, another female suicide-bomber hit Zoo Road near Kano International Trade Fair. Though the 19-year-old female bomber killed herself in the process, six innocent Nigerians sustained various degrees of injuries.

    According to eyewitness account, the female suicide bomber, dressed in a hijab, got to the gate of the trade fair, but just as she tried to gain entry, securitymen at the gate insisted she must be frisked. In the process, she detonated the bomb and blew herself up. Two policemen were among those who got injured in the incident.

    Also before the Monday tragedy, Sunday, July 27 also left footprints of terrorism on Kano. In another suicide attack, which occurred at Kofar Nasarawa area of the city, a female bomber, in an attempt to lure some security men who were stationed by the North West gate with Sallah food, ended up blowing up herself.

    Also, it was gathered that the female bomber, who arrived at the scene under the newly constructed flyover at about 12:30 pm, made an attempt to deceive the security operatives that she had brought Sallah food for them, but the security men, who were on the alert, suspected a foul play, following the female bomber’s desperation.

    The security men, it was further gathered, took to their heels when they noticed that the female bomber was fast advancing towards them as they threatened to gun her down. However, nemesis caught up with the female bomber as the bomb she hid in her hijab exploded and consumed her.

    For both Muslim and Christian residents of Kano, the hijab, for now is an outfit to be dreaded. Also, it was gathered that the female bomber, who arrived at the scene under the newly constructed flyover at about 12:30 pm made an attempt to deceive the security operatives that she brought sallah food for them, but the security men, who were on alert, suspected foul play, following the female bomber’s desperation.

    The securitymen, it was further gathered, took to their heels when they noticed that the female bomber was fast advancing towards them, as they threatened to gun her down.  However, luck ran out of the female bomber, who secretly concealed the explosives under her hijab before nemesis caught up with her, when the bomb suddenly exploded and consumed her. For both Muslims and Christians, natives and non-natives in the ancient city, hijab wearing remains scary for now.

  • Watch out for bombers in Catholic Sisters’ regalia- DSS

    Watch out for bombers in Catholic Sisters’ regalia- DSS

    The Department of State Security (DSS) has called on members of the public to be on the look out for female suicide bombers they may disguise in the traditional Catholic Sisters’ regalia to bomb some unsuspecting targets.

    A statement on Saturday signed by the spokesman of the DSS, Ms. Marilyn Ogar said some unidentified persons broke into a tailoring shop located at No. 55, Odutola Street, Sabon Gari, Kano.

    According to the DSS, the invaders stole 13 pieces of the regalia from the shop and had since disappeared.

    “With the recent trend of female suicide bombings in the country, the theft of these regalia heightens concerns about the possibility of terrorist elements using same to perpetrate acts of terror.

    “Consequently, this Service wishes to draw the attention of the public to this development and to call on all citizens to be more circumspect and exercise greater vigilance with users of such peculiar attires.

    “We therefore enjoin all to continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies through the provision of useful information on suspicious activities within their immediate environment.

    “This Service will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders as we strive to keep our country safe,” the statement added.

    In a related development, the police authorities have opened investigation into alleged attempt on the life of the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Ade Abolurin.

    A statement yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu said outcome of the investigation would be made public in due course.

    The NSCDC, had raised the alarm, accusing an unnamed Police Inspector of attempting to open fire on the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Mr. Ade Abolurin.

    An earlier statement by the spokesman of the NSCDC, Mr. Emmanuel Okeh had added that the said Police Inspector also threatened the lives of over 200 persons that were with the NSCDC boss at the time.

    Okeh described those with the NSCDC boss to be committee members made up of representatives of the Army, EFCC, ICPC and office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

  • Teen female suicide bombers keep Kano residents in perpetual fear

    Teen female suicide bombers keep Kano residents in perpetual fear

    The dream of every student of a tertiary institution is to see his or her name on the notice board as one of those confirmed by the authorities of the affected school to have scaled all the hurdles and eligible to be awarded a certificate. That, of course, was the thought that dominated the mind of Nurudeen Deneji (43) after he had completed his assignments for Higher National Diploma (HND) in Public Administration at Kano State Polytechnic.

    Indeed, Nurudeen’s name appeared on the list and he was in high spirit penultimate Wednesday as new graduates of the polytechnic gathered to check their names on the call-up list for the mandatory one-year national service otherwise called the National Youth Service Scheme (NYSC). It turned out that fate would later that day play a cruel one on Nurudeen.

    A female teen suicide bomber sneaked into the sizeable crowd of fresh graduates and detonated a bomb that killed no fewer than three of them and injured seven others, according to police figures. Nurudeen was one of the deceased victims. The 43-year-old indigene of Kano city left behind a young wife and five children. His first child, Najib, had just clocked seven years.

    Describing Nurudeen as peace-loving, amiable, easy-going and generous, his elder brother, Alhaji Ibrahim Ado Deneji, a senior reporter with Radio Kano, said: “I feel very sad about his death. But what I believe is that life is a matter of destiny. We come into the world through the will of Allah, and through His will we go. I believe that Nurudeen’s death was predestined.

    “We have lost a great brother who was determined to excel in life, but God knows the best. God giveth and God taketh. His dream was to live a peaceful, comfortable and godly life with his family, but now, death has snatched him away through a very tragic means.

    “He left behind a wife and five children. Only God can take care of those he has left behind.”

    Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the incident, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Aderenle Shinaba, was soaked with emotion as he condemned the act.

    Shinaba said: ”We are in very difficult times; a situation that is assuming a new dimension of suicide bombing in the state. The one that has just happened at the administrative block of Kano State Polytechnic on Bayero University Kano Road is frightening.

    “The incident occurred at about 3:30 pm. The situation calls for vigilance on the part of every one of us because we have tried as much as possible to deploy police officers in every strategic location.

    ”So, in these critical times, what is required is intelligence and vigilance on the part of everybody. Even when we have policemen everywhere, we require information as well as the vigilance of every one of us. A situation where somebody is carrying explosives, what business does such a person have with graduates who had assembled to check their postings for the Batch A of the NYSC?

    “It is disheartening to note that when you see somebody around, who is looking like a primary or secondary school student, disguise in the customary hijab, you begin to fret.

    “We have been telling people about female teenage suicide bombers; a situation that calls for law enforcement agencies to be on the alert.

    “We must now set sentiments and religion aside and watch out always for hijab-wearing female suicide bombers. We must face the reality of tackling the danger headlong so as to avoid future occurrences.”

    The Kano State Polytechnic incident was not the first time that female suicide bombers would terrorise the ancient city. On Monday, July 28, a female suicide bomber killed three persons at the NNPC Mega Station at Hotoro quarters. The suicide bomber joined the kerosene queue at the station and detonated the bomb minutes later.

    The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Adenerele Tasheed Shinaba, confirmed the blast, saying that three persons were killed while 10 others were injured. On the same day, another female suicide bomber hit Zoo Road, near Kano International Trade Fair complex. Although the 19-year-old female bomber killed herself in the process, six innocent Nigerians sustained various degrees of injuries.

    According to eyewitness account, the female suicide bomber dressed in hijab got to the gate of the trade fair complex, but as she tried to gain entry, security men at the gate insisted that she must be frisked. In the process, she detonated the bomb and blew herself. Two Police men were among those who got injured in the incident.

    Before the Monday tragedy, Sunday, July 27, had left its own footprints in the sands of terrorism in Kano. In a suicide bombing attack, which occurred in Kofar Nasarawa area of the city, a female bomber, in an attempt to lure some security men who were stationed by the North West gate with Sallah food, ended up blowing herself up.

    It was gathered that the female suicide bomber arrived the scene at about 12:30 pm and told the security operatives that she had brought Sallah food for them. The security men, however, suspected a foul play on account of the female bomber’s apparent desperation.

    The securitymen, it was further gathered, took to their heels when they noticed that the female bomber was fast advancing towards them as they threatened to gun her down. However, luck ran out on her as the bomb she concealed in her hijab exploded and consumed her.

    That same Sunday, St. Charles Catholic Church, located on Zungeru Road, Normansland in Sabon Gari area of Kano, witnessed a heavy blast that claimed the lives of seven worshippers and left 16 persons injured. Three suspects, including a cripple, were arrested.

    At about 1:29 pm, according to an eyewitness account, the suspected terrorists had laid siege at a primary school adjacent to St Charles Catholic Church on Zungeru Road, from where they hauled the explosives at the unsuspecting worshippers. It was further gathered that the explosives were thrown through the windows of the school on the innocent worshippers who had just concluded their Sunday service and were departing the premises to their respective homes.

    According to sources, the deceased victims included a man identified as Ugochukwu Okoli (32), his wife and maid, who had gone to the church for thanksgiving.

    Briefing reporters at the scene of the bomb attack, Shinaba said the suspects had gone to a church on Zungeru Road where they hid themselves in a primary school close to the church and threw explosives on the unsuspecting worshippers, leaving no fewer than five people dead and eight injured, while three suspects were arrested.

    The Catholic Bishop of Kano, Bishop John Namanza, condemned the attack on his church members, describing it as uncalled for. Although he commended the security operatives for their response, he lamented that it was belated despite the early information passed to them that the church was a target.

    He therefore called on security agents and the state government to beef up security around the vicinity.

  • Women suicide bombers on the rampage in Kano

    Women suicide bombers on the rampage in Kano

    When the Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, its membership comprised only men. The activities of the dissidents have taken a different dimension – they have introduced young women bombers into their fold. The suicide bombers are now on the prowl, especially in Kano.

    The feminine gender is known for its kindness and humane nature. These days, the traits have been undermined as many have learnt the art of killing and destruction.

    Recently, their target was the Kano State Polytechnic where some students were killed and others injured. One of the victims was 43-year-old Nurudeen Deneji, who had completed his course of study and was waiting to be awarded the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Public Administration by the Kano State Polytechnic.

    Indeed, Nurudeen was among those to be honoured. He was in high spirits on that fateful Wednesday, July 30, when graduates of Kano Polytechnic had gathered to check their names on the call-up list.

    But fate played a cruel trick on Nurudeen and others who did not survive the bomb-blast masterminded by a female teen-suicide-bomber at 3:30 p.m. She sneaked into the crowd and detonated an Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that killed no fewer than three persons and injured seven, according to police authorities.

    The 43-year-old Nurudeen from Kano City left behind a young wife and five children. His first child, Najib, is just seven years old.

    Speaking to our correspondent, his elder brother, Alhaji Ibrahim Ado Deneji, a Senior Reporter with Radio Kano described his late brother as peace-loving, amiable, easy-going and generous.

    Alhaji Deneji said: “I feel very sad, even though my belief is that life has its own destiny from God. We come to this world through the will of Allah and through the same means, we go.  I believe this is part of pre-destination. We have lost a very great brother who was determined to excel in life. But God knows the best. He gives and He takes.

    “His dream was to live a peaceful, comfortable and Godly life with his family; but death has snatched him away through a very tragic means. He left behind a wife and five children; and only God can take care of those he has left behind.”

    Speaking to reporters at the scene of the incident, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Aderenle Shinaba, condemned the act, saying: “We are in very difficult times. A situation that is assuming a new dimension of suicide bombing in the state is what we are witnessing. This one that happened here at the Administrative Block of Kano State Polytechnic on Bayero University Kano Road is frightening.

    “This situation calls for vigilance on the part of every one of us because we have tried as much as possible for the deployment of police officers in every strategic location.

    ‘’ So, at this critical time, what is required is intelligence and vigilance on the part of everybody. Even when we have policemen everywhere, we require information as well as vigilance of everyone of us. A situation where somebody is carrying explosives, what business does such person has where graduates assembled to check their results of the Batch A NYSC deployment? It is disheartening to see somebody, looking like a primary or secondary school student, ladened with explosives and disguised  in hijab in our midst without anybody taking note.

    “We have been telling people about female teenage suicide bombers, which calls for the law enforcement agencies to be on the alert. Look for hijab-wearing female suicide bombers. Sentiments and religion should not be the issue. We should face the reality of tackling it head-on so as to avoid future occurrences,’’ he warned.

    The Kano Polytechnic incident was not the first time female suicide bombers terrorised the ancient city during the Sallah festivities. On Monday, July 28, a female suicide bomber killed three persons at NNPC Mega Station at Hotoro Quarters.

    The suicide bomber joined the kerosene queue at the station and detonated the bomb minutes later. The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Adenerele Tasheed Shinaba confirmed the blast, adding that three persons were killed and 10 others injured.

    On the same day, another female suicide-bomber hit Zoo Road, near Kano International Trade Fair. Though the 19-year old female bomber killed herself in the process, six innocent Nigerians sustained various degrees of injuries. According to an eyewitness account, the female suicide bomber dressed in a Hijab got to the gate of the trade fair, but just as she tried to gain entrance, security men at the gate insisted she must be frisked; and, in the process, she detonated the bomb and blew herself up. Two policemen were among those who injured in that incident.

    Before the Monday incident, there was another bomb blast on Sunday, July 27 in Kano.  In another suicide attack at Kofar Nasarawa area of the city, a female bomber, in an attempt to lure some security men who were stationed at the North West Gate with Sallah food, ended up blowing up herself.

    Also, it was gathered that the female bomber, who arrived at the scene under the newly constructed flyover at 12:30 p.m. made an attempt to deceive the security operatives that she brought Sallah food for them. But the security men, who were alert, suspected foul play, because of the female bomber’s desperation.

    The security operatives, it was further gathered, took to their heels when they noticed that the female bomber was fast advancing towards them, even as they threatened to gun her down.

    However, luck ran out on the bomber who concealed the explosives under her hijab. The bomb suddenly exploded and consumed her.

    On the same Sunday, St. Charles Catholic Church on Zungeru Road, Normansland in Sabon Gari area of Kano witnessed a blast that claimed the lives of seven worshippers and left 16 injured, while three suspects, including a cripple were arrested.

    The suspected terrorists, at 1:29 p.m., according to eyewitness account, laid siege to a primary school, adjacent to the church, from where they threw the explosives on the innocent worshippers through the window of the school.

    Briefing reporters at the scene of the attack, Shinaba said the suspects had gone to a church on Zungeru Road where they hid themselves at a primary school close to the church and threw explosives on the unsuspecting worshippers. The incident left no fewer than five people dead, eight injured, while three suspects were arrested.

    In a chat with our correspondent, The Catholic Bishop of Kano, Bishop John Namanza, said the community had protected themselves beyond imagination in the vicinity.

    Condemning the attack on his church members, Bishop Namanza described them as uncalled for. Although he commended the security operatives for their response, he lamented that it was belated, despite the early information passed on to them that the church was a target. He, therefore, called on security agents and the state government to beef up security around the vicinity. 

    The scenario in the ancient city of Kano is that residents are now scared of women dressed in hijab. Such incident was reported in Sabon Gari area of the metropolis which is mostly inhabited by non-indigenous.

    Some traders noticed a woman who dressed in hijab. She stood at the same spot for over 20 minutes. One of the brave traders walked to her and told her to keep moving, stressing that they are not comfortable with her presence; a situation that informed the decision of the women to leave the scene to avoid embarrassment.

    As she relocated to the ever-busy France Road, close to Galadima Junction, where vendors sell newspapers, she started flagging down some tricycle operators for an unknown destination. They zoomed off when they saw  that she was clad in hijab. The woman was embarrassed and sneaked away without drawing attention to herself.

  • Boko Haram: 10-year-old girl on bombing trip held

    Boko Haram: 10-year-old girl on bombing trip held

    13 residents die in Yobe attacks 

    Three die as female bombers hit school

    A 10-year-old girl with explosives strapped on to her body has been arrested, a government official said.

    Hadiza Musa was arrested along with another girl and a male, Iliya Dahiru. They were all wired up with explosives,  travelling in a car at night on Zaria Road in Tundun Wada, Funtua, Katsina State. The arrests were made on Tuesday night.

    National Information Centre Coordinator Mike Omeri, who is also the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), broke the news yesterday in Abuja, saying it was an indication that those behind women bombers are not using the abducted Chibok girls as being speculated.

    As Omeri spoke in Abuja a female suicide bomber struck in Kano, killing three students at the Kano Polytechnic.

    Two mosques were attacked on Tuesday in Potiskum, Yobe State’s commercial city, by suicide bombers, killing 13 worshippers. It was the second attack in two days in the state. An earlier attacked led to the death of eight people. The Kakarfo bridge linking Yobe to Borno and Adamawa states was blown up.

    Omeri said: “The three suspects were arrested in a Honda CRV car, when they were directed to disembar for security checks, 10-year-old Hadiza was discovered to have been strapped with an explosive belt and Iliya and Zainab made an attempt to escape with the car, but were later blocked and subsequently arrested after which the police successfully unstrapped the explosives.”

    Police spokesman Frank Mba said the trend of female bombers is on the increase due to the notion that women are not properly searched.

    “The use of female suicide bombers is not totally new; there is increase in their use now since women raise fewer suspicion, unlike the male. Women don’t like male security operatives to frisk or check them. We will begin to see more security operatives as their use increases, “he said

    Mba urged parents and local governments chairmen to assist in curbing the use of young girls for hawking as most of them are now being lured into suicide bombing.

  • Two suicide bombers kill 13, injures 35 in Yobe

    Two suicide bombers on Wednesday launched coordinated attacks on two mosques in Potiskum town, the largest commercial city in Yobe State.

    The attack was targeted at worshippers during the evening prayer at about 7:30 local time.

    They attacked mosques which included the Alkali Kalli mosque located just a few metres away from the Emir of Fika Palace and the Sakafa mosque sited at the busy Potiskum Central Market.

    Despite security warnings that people should stay away from blast scenes, residents were however seeing milling around the two mosques in the earlier hours of Wednesday to witness the level of destruction when our correspondent visited.

    The potiskum General hospital was equally taken over by sympathizers and family members who either came to identify the dead or the injured.

    Hospital authorities and security declined official comment but an anonymous hospital source informed that 13 bodies were brought from the separate attacks while 35 others affected by the blasts are currently receiving treatment at the Potiskum hospital.

    The source also disclosed that victims with high degree of fracture would be referred to other hospitals like FMC Nguru and Azare.

    An official with Isma Medical Initiatives, who was involved in the rescue operation, also confirmed that 13 people died in the incidents.

    “We were involved in the rescue operation from the beginning up to this time and I can confirm to you that 13 people were killed in the separate blasts while 35 others sustained various degrees of injuries. Many of those on admission will be referred to Either Nguru or neighbouring Azare for treatment,” he stated.