Three days after multiple blasts
Bombs litter Kano
…300 explosive devices, six bomb-laden cars found
…Residents flee city as soldiers take over security
Bombs litter Kano
…300 explosive devices, six bomb-laden cars found
…Residents flee city as soldiers take over security
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Three days after multiple explosions killed 186 people in Kano, the Police yesterday found six bomb-laden cars in the city. Also discovered were over 300 unexploded devices in the city, said a senior police officer, who did want to be mentioned.
He said: “ So far, we have discovered over 100 home-made bombs in the operations we have launched in bomb recovery in different parts of the city.
“Lots of the unexploded bombs were recovered around the Police headquarters”, which was one of the targets struck last Friday.
The dreaded Islamist sect, Jama’atu Ahlissuna Liddawati Wal-Jihad, otherwise known in local parlance as Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for its deadliest attack so far.
The situation has heightened fears among the residents who are just recovering from the trauma of the tragic experience witnessed in the state.
According to security sources, “the police in conjunction with other security agencies have continued to discover bombs planted in different parts of the state, including the latest which was discovered inside a CRV jeep”
The source said that one of the explosives was discovered in front of the Nigeria Police Health Centre in Bompai Area, while another was discovered somewhere near a hotel situated very close to the residence of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, (AIG), Mohammed Abubakar, the boss of Zone One Command.
“The source told the Daily Sun that some of explosives were also found inside two VESPA motorcycles in addition to the bombs discovered in two Honda Henecene along Sheka area of the state capital, among others.
It was gathered that one key feature of some of the discovered bombs are that the keys of the vehicles were found inside the ignitions, an indication that they were either set for explosion or that the occupants left them in a hurry.
He said that each time a bomb is discovered, the police’s anti-bomb unit will be called upon to quietly defuse them to avoid further scaring the residents.
There are indications that the Army has taken charge of internal security even as residents flee the commercial city in droves yesterday.
A senior police officer who does not want to be mentioned, said: “We have discovered six bomb-laden cars in different areas of the city. We are still facing serious security threats”.
On Sunday, two cars were diffused of bombs, one close to the Chuta Oil Filling Station along the Eastern by-pass and another at a NNPC Mega Filing Station in Hotoro area of the state capital.
They were abandoned until the residents raised the alarm and called the attention of the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Police Command who diffused them.
The discovery coincided with the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan who paid a condolence visit on Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero who wept on being told of the death toll.
The residents may have also been jolted by the discovery of more bomb-laden cars, thus provoking the exodus from the ancient city amid new security arrangement involving soldiers.
Daily Sun was told that under the new operational tactics, soldiers will for some time work in concert with the rest of the agencies to ensure tight security.
Already, well-armed but courteous soldiers from the military formations in the state are on the streets of the city.
There are also several check-points, especially along the Airport Road even as armed soldiers stop and search vehicles at random.
The military’s presence was also noticed around key government sites like the Government House and in the areas domiciled by the non- natives such as Sabon Gari area. Soldiers enforced the curfew imposed by the state government last Friday.
They were also visible at the Bompai headquarters of the police force assisting the personnel. Security was also heightened at the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Immigrations and Nigerian Prisons.
At Sabon Gari Luxury Bus Park, situated along New Road by Eldorado Cinema, the residents are fleeing the city in response to the attacks. A similar increased exodus was noticed in some other exit parks in the state.
In most cases, Daily Sun gathered that those travelling out of the state are mostly children and women as the men, who have businesses to take charge, are staying back, hoping that the situation would improve in the due course.
The Commander, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Major-General Emmanuel Abejirin, had told reporters that soldiers have officially taken charge of security.
He said that the situation is gradually getting under control in the state while encouraging members of the public to go about their lawful businesses.
As the President visited the city on Sunday, about 200 Muslim clerics and political leaders gathered for peace prayers in Kano.
“I will pray to God that we should never re-live the catastrophe that resulted in the deaths and maiming in our city.” Governor Kwankwaso said.
Emir Bayero told the clerics: “I enjoin you to continue praying for peace and stability in our city. I call upon you to use any religious fora to pray for peace in our land.”
He said: “ So far, we have discovered over 100 home-made bombs in the operations we have launched in bomb recovery in different parts of the city.
“Lots of the unexploded bombs were recovered around the Police headquarters”, which was one of the targets struck last Friday.
The dreaded Islamist sect, Jama’atu Ahlissuna Liddawati Wal-Jihad, otherwise known in local parlance as Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for its deadliest attack so far.
The situation has heightened fears among the residents who are just recovering from the trauma of the tragic experience witnessed in the state.
According to security sources, “the police in conjunction with other security agencies have continued to discover bombs planted in different parts of the state, including the latest which was discovered inside a CRV jeep”
The source said that one of the explosives was discovered in front of the Nigeria Police Health Centre in Bompai Area, while another was discovered somewhere near a hotel situated very close to the residence of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, (AIG), Mohammed Abubakar, the boss of Zone One Command.
“The source told the Daily Sun that some of explosives were also found inside two VESPA motorcycles in addition to the bombs discovered in two Honda Henecene along Sheka area of the state capital, among others.
It was gathered that one key feature of some of the discovered bombs are that the keys of the vehicles were found inside the ignitions, an indication that they were either set for explosion or that the occupants left them in a hurry.
He said that each time a bomb is discovered, the police’s anti-bomb unit will be called upon to quietly defuse them to avoid further scaring the residents.
There are indications that the Army has taken charge of internal security even as residents flee the commercial city in droves yesterday.
A senior police officer who does not want to be mentioned, said: “We have discovered six bomb-laden cars in different areas of the city. We are still facing serious security threats”.
On Sunday, two cars were diffused of bombs, one close to the Chuta Oil Filling Station along the Eastern by-pass and another at a NNPC Mega Filing Station in Hotoro area of the state capital.
They were abandoned until the residents raised the alarm and called the attention of the Bomb Disposal Unit of the Police Command who diffused them.
The discovery coincided with the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan who paid a condolence visit on Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero who wept on being told of the death toll.
The residents may have also been jolted by the discovery of more bomb-laden cars, thus provoking the exodus from the ancient city amid new security arrangement involving soldiers.
Daily Sun was told that under the new operational tactics, soldiers will for some time work in concert with the rest of the agencies to ensure tight security.
Already, well-armed but courteous soldiers from the military formations in the state are on the streets of the city.
There are also several check-points, especially along the Airport Road even as armed soldiers stop and search vehicles at random.
The military’s presence was also noticed around key government sites like the Government House and in the areas domiciled by the non- natives such as Sabon Gari area. Soldiers enforced the curfew imposed by the state government last Friday.
They were also visible at the Bompai headquarters of the police force assisting the personnel. Security was also heightened at the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Immigrations and Nigerian Prisons.
At Sabon Gari Luxury Bus Park, situated along New Road by Eldorado Cinema, the residents are fleeing the city in response to the attacks. A similar increased exodus was noticed in some other exit parks in the state.
In most cases, Daily Sun gathered that those travelling out of the state are mostly children and women as the men, who have businesses to take charge, are staying back, hoping that the situation would improve in the due course.
The Commander, 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Major-General Emmanuel Abejirin, had told reporters that soldiers have officially taken charge of security.
He said that the situation is gradually getting under control in the state while encouraging members of the public to go about their lawful businesses.
As the President visited the city on Sunday, about 200 Muslim clerics and political leaders gathered for peace prayers in Kano.
“I will pray to God that we should never re-live the catastrophe that resulted in the deaths and maiming in our city.” Governor Kwankwaso said.
Emir Bayero told the clerics: “I enjoin you to continue praying for peace and stability in our city. I call upon you to use any religious fora to pray for peace in our land.”
From DESMOND MGBOH, Kano
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
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