Barely 48 hours after a bomb explosion rocked a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Suleja, Niger State, leaving about 10 persons dead and 28 others injured, security agencies, yesterday, seemed close to unravelling the mystery surrounding the incident.
A suspect was arrested with two metallic objects believed to be bomb explosives some kilometres away from Suleja, the scene of the blast.
The arrest was effected by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) officials who stopped the vehicle in which the suspect was commutting, searched his luggage on the suspicion that he may be carrying Indian hemp, and found the metallic items.
Rescue operation for one of the victims of the bomb explosion.
The NDLEA officials were operating at a checkpoint at the outskirts of New Wuse Town in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State, along Abuja-Kaduna Road when they arrested the suspect.
The suspect, a 32-year old man identified as Zakariyahu Garba, was handed over to the police after preliminary interrogation by the NDLEA.
Also found in the suspect’s luggage were dry cell batteries.
Journalists efforts to get him to answer questions on the items found on him when he was paraded by the NDLEA in Minna, yesterday, proved abortive as he parried all the questions.
The suspect claimed he could not speak or hear English but also failed to answer questions put to him in Hausa.
Addressing journalists on the arrest, Niger State Commander of the NDLEA, Alhaji Abdullahi Abdul, said the man, who claimed to be a Kaduna-based trader, was heading towards Kaduna in a bus along with 17 other passengers when his men stopped the bus for a routine check.
The aim of the NDLEA officers was to screen the passengers for Indian hemp but ended discovering something more suspicious wrapped in a black nylon.
While other passengers were said to have subjected themselves to the routine check, the suspect reportedly proved reluctant to cooperate with the NDLEA men and this gave room for suspicion by the security men.
After a hot argument and delay by the suspect, the nylon was finally searched and the suspected explosives and the dry cell batteries found neatly packed.
As soon as the explosives were found, the Minna head office of the NDLEA was contacted and a directive given for the bus and the occupants to be taken back to Minna for investigation. Among the other commuters were five women, out of which were three nursing mothers, and 12 men.
During investigation in Minna by the NDLEA, some incriminating text messages were said to have been found on the GSM phone of the suspect but which were not disclosed to journalists in order not to jeopardize investigation.
The driver of the bus conveying the suspect and other passengers explained that he was not aware of the suspected bombs carried by the suspect, adding that the suspect and other passengers were picked in Madalla town, few kilometers to Suleja.
The NDLEA boss said the case had been transferred to Niger State police command after preliminary investigation by his office.
One of the senior police officers in the state told journalists that the suspected explosives would be carefully examined by bomb experts as further investigation continues.
I specialize in investigative reportage across several subject matter and sectors but mainly focus on metro events and investigation. Do leave your thoughts and opinion on my reports to let me know what you think about them. Thank you
Posted: at 6-03-2011 06:31 PM (14 years ago) | Addicted Hero
I DON'T KNOW WHY SOME PEOPLE STILL TRYING TO DO RALLY FOR THIS LEADER THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO FOR THE COUNTRY OR FOR THEM,AND THEY ARE DIYING FOR NOTHING.THE PERSON THEY WERE DOING THE RALLING WILL NOT EVEN REMBER THEM OR THEIR FAMILY IF THEIR DIE.NO HELP FOR THIS.
Posted: at 7-03-2011 11:07 AM (14 years ago) | Upcoming
hmmmmm, I'm afriad of what Nigeria is turning into now.after Bomb Blast the innocent ones will be the victim, the poeple that eating the money will quitely go to their homes.
Posted: at 7-03-2011 01:35 PM (14 years ago) | Upcoming
Larrykingomoj at 7-03-2011 09:40 PM (14 years ago) (m)
Can't the goverment do something about all these bombings and killings not to talk of kidnappings and arm robbery. you see why everybody wants to leave the country by all means. God please do something for us.
Posted: at 7-03-2011 09:40 PM (14 years ago) | Gistmaniac
TRENDING GISTS 
I'm Building PDP, Not Tearing it Apart - Wike Addresses The Press (Video)
VIDEO: Man Caught While Waiting For a Minor he Had Solicited S£x From Online
Emotional Moment Femi Adebayo Presented His 2025 AMVCA Trophies to His Dad, Adebayo Salami
Rapper, Phyno Unveils His Daughter, Shares Adorable Video to Mark Her Second Birthday
Ex Madrid Player, Xabi Alonso Seals Managerial Move To Real Madrid As Ancelotti Bows Out
Retired Teacher, Mallam Kabiru Killed, Wife Abducted As Bandits Invade Zamfara School Quarters