Crime
Unmask illegal miners behind Ibadan explosion, Sowore tells Makinde
The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has asked the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and security agencies to answer nagging questions about the explosion that rocked Ibadan late Tuesday evening.
According to Sowore Governor Seyi Makinde, and security agencies have to answer questions concerning the alleged illegal miners responsible for the deadly explosion.
Makinde issued a statement stating that the explosion was caused by illegal miners.
Sowore, however, in a series of tweets he shared on his X handle (Formerly Twitter) on Wednesday wondered who the miners were, what they were mining, and why are they in possession of such powerful explosives.
His tweets titled, Posers For The Governor Of Oyo State #seyimakinde And Security Agencies Regarding The Deadly #IbadanBlast Last Night, read, “Even in developed countries, it takes nothing less than 48 hours before government agencies make a categorical statement about such a massive explosion. These include cordoning off the area, obtaining evidence on the scene, and analyzing it before telling the public what exactly happened.
“In less than 10 hours, Governor @seyimakinde already “investigated” the incident and submitted it was “Illegal Miners.” Who are the illegal miners? What do they mine, and why are they in possession of such powerful explosives?
“Is there any explosives dealer known to security agencies in a high-brow neighborhood in Ibadan that the govt had long been aware of and did nothing about?
“Again, who is that miner? What is the miner’s name, and what do they mine in Oyo state? Is it gold, silver, cobalt, uranium, or what? A release should be done immediately to reveal the identity of the miner!
“Mining and using explosives has a procedure and rarely explodes without a trigger, especially dynamite. You have to ignite it automatedly or use fire. Was the building rigged with explosives? If so, why so?
“Is the governor or Oyo state government aware of mining in the Agodi residential area? Is the governor aware of it, or is his or the state carrying out rock blasting in a residential area?
“The DSS is saddled with approving the use of explosives around Nigeria. What is their public position on what happened? At least citizens need a preliminary report from the DSS on this matter immediately.”
On Tuesday night, panic gripped Ibadan residents over an explosion that occurred at Dejo Oyelese Street in the Bodija area of the city.
Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency has disclosed that over 20 houses were affected in the Tuesday night explosion.
“Over 20 houses were affected. Casualty figures can not be ascertained for now. Search and rescue operation is still ongoing,” the agency said.
Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has hinted that there are attempts by lawyers and litigants to influence the money laundering trial of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami scheduled to begin on 17 February.
The judge stated this after granting Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and wife Bashir Asabe, bail in the sum of N500million each.
In a stern warning shortly after delivering the ruling granting Malami and others bail, Justice Nwite said he would not take lightly any lawyer or litigant intent on ‘approaching’ him to influence the case.
He advised parties, to instead, engage the services of quality lawyers to help with their case. He threatens serious consequences for anyone who flouts his directive.
On the terms of bail for Malami and his co-defendants, the trial judge ordered that they present two sureties each who must be owners of properties, with proof, in either Maitama, Gwarimpa or Asokoro.
The defendants are also ordered to deposit their passports with the court registry, adding that travel out of the country must be by the express permission of the court.
Malami and his co-defendants will, meanwhile, remain in prison until they perfect the terms of bail. The trial is scheduled to begin on 17 February.
Troops from the 3rd Division of the Nigerian Army, operating under the Joint Task Force Operation Enduring Peace (JTF OPEP), have successfully raided a kidnappers’ hideout in Lantom village, Kadarko District, Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Acting on credible intelligence, the soldiers stormed the criminal den on January 6, arresting four suspected gang members. During the operation, some suspects reportedly attempted to disarm a soldier while being escorted, prompting the troops to respond decisively and neutralise them.
Items recovered include one locally fabricated rifle, one axe, and one machete. Preliminary investigations indicate the suspects were responsible for multiple kidnapping and armed robbery incidents in Kadarko District and surrounding communities.
All seized items are now in military custody. Follow-up operations are ongoing to track down fleeing gang members and recover additional weapons.
The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to curbing criminal activities and urged the public to provide timely information to support security efforts in the region.
Crime
Suicide bomber confesses: I was paid N100,000 to bomb worshippers in Maiduguri
Ibrahim claimed that he returned to the scene pretending to be a civilian helper, assisting in evacuating casualties.
•Ibrahim Mohammed
A suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber, Ibrahim Mohammed, has revealed chilling details of his recruitment and operations, including how he was paid to target worshippers in Maiduguri.
The confession came after his arrest by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in collaboration with local hunters in Yobe State.
Ibrahim admitted involvement in the Dec. 24 suicide bombing at Gamboru Market Mosque, which killed five people and injured 32 others.
He stated that the attacks were orchestrated by Boko Haram commanders operating between Adamawa State and the Mandara Mountains.
“I came to Maiduguri with two IEDs to target Izala Mosque, under instructions from our leaders, Adamu and Abubakar,” he told interrogators.
He said the operatives planted the explosives after Zuhur and Asr prayers, timing the detonation for Maghrib prayers when worshippers had gathered.
Ibrahim claimed that he returned to the scene pretending to be a civilian helper, assisting in evacuating casualties.
He revealed that suicide bombing had become a paid assignment within the terror network, with payments ranging from N70,000 to N100,000 per mission
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