AS a way of stemming the growing security
menace of the Boko Haram sect, the Federal
Government is said to have approved the
establishment of a new tact team within the
Department of State Security Service (SSS),
sources have confirmed.
Sources further confirmed that findings by the
top brass of the administration further revealed
the recruitment procedure of suicide bombers
being used to prosecute suicide attacks so far
carried out in the country.
Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune confirmed
that a fee of N10 million is being used as a bait to
recruit each suicide bomber used in the attacks
so far.
The Boko Haram sect has so far lost three of its
suicide attackers in three different attacks in Abuja
and Maiduguri.
While the first suicide bomber died in the attack
on Force Headquarters, Abuja, the second was
shot dead before he could ram his vehicle into the
Police Command Headquarters in Maiduguri,
Borno State three weeks ago. Another suicide
bomber was involved in the blast at the UN
House in Abuja. The attack has so far led to the
death of 24 persons.
Sources confirmed that the government was
already in possession of reports which indicated
that the leaders of the Boko Haram sect had been
paying heavily for services rendered by the
suicide bombers.
It was learnt that apart from the indoctrination
processes which the suicide bombers
underwent, they were also assured of huge
financial rewards for their families when they
might have gone.
Though a source in the administration said that
operatives were still working on some of the finite
details uncovered during the recent arrest of a
kingpin of the sect, it was gathered that the figure
being paid out had been put in the region of N10
million.
A source quipped at the discovery: “The question
that is being raised is what is the source of such
funding? Why would somebody put down such
money to take the lives of innocent people? What
is the motivation for such venture? Is Nigeria
fighting a war of independence?”
Sources further told the Nigerian Tribune that the
State Security Service (SSS) appeared to have
been hampered in years past by inability to
enforce some of its findings and that the tact
team would help in that regard.
It was also gathered that the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could be
called upon to provide some assistance as
regards the funding processes and movement of
funds.
The source added that following the threats, the
armed forces procured some additional
equipment to screen and search people and
vehicles coming to their headquarters.
Meanwhile, detectives from the United States of
America and the United Kingdom are working
round the clock to ascertain the type of explosives
that were detonated and the country where they
are likely to have come from, just as armed
forces have procured some additional equipment
to screen and search people and vehicles coming
to their headquarters.
Also, armed soldiers were positioned in all areas
surrounding the armed forces operational
headquarters, while only military vehicles were
allowed into the premises.
The main road passing through the headquarters
had been blocked from public use, as only the
military and officers’ vehicles were allowed a
pass.
A source told the Nigerian Tribune that the
military had to put the additional security
measure in place, because, “this is the operational
headquarters of the armed forces and once any
attempt is made, the military is finished.”
However, strong indications emerged in Abuja,
on Monday, that following the recurring problem
of insecurity occasioned by the Boko Haram
menace, President Jonathan had succumbed to
pressure to carry out changes in the top
hierarchy of the nation’s security establishment.
Consequently, it was gathered that top security
personnel, including those of the service chiefs
and some apex intelligence networks in the
country, would be relieved of their appointments
as a result of the president’s dissatisfaction with
excuses being offered for the lapses that resulted
in the UN House bombing.
Top on the list of offices that might be affected,
according to sources, was a retired four-star
General who, it was believed, had failed to carry
out a successful coordination of the security
agencies.
While noting that the appointment of a new Chief
of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Sani
Yakubu Audu, to take over from Major-General
Babagana Monguno was along the line, the
Nigerian Tribune was reliably informed that some
of the service chiefs had spent more that 35 years
in service, with two of them said to have passed
the 56 years age limit.
It was further gathered that while one of the
service chiefs could be eased out on age
grounds, the other service chief was due for
retirement on January 2010, but was saved by
providence, following his appointment as a
service chief in the last quarter of the year.
In another development, the management of the
National Assembly, on Monday, placed the
complex under tight security, following
indications that the Boko Haram had named the
complex as its next target.
The situation ensured that cars were not allowed
into the Assembly complex, as only cars
belonging to senators and honourable members
were even made to park at the open yard outside
the complex.
According to sources, other locations said to be
targeted by the sect for bomb attacks included
the headquarters of the Nigeria National
Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), located at the
Central Business District and the Central Bank of
Nigerian (CBN) building, also in the Central Area.
Security personnel, including members of the
Bomb Disposal Unit, were deployed in different
locations in the complex, just as staff of the
Sergeant-at-Arms joined in combing car boots
and bags of any intending visitor to the National
Assembly.
All vehicles entering the Assembly premises were
first screened by the anti-bomb policeman
stationed at the MOPOL gate, while they were
further screened at the second gate and ordered
to park at an open space called ‘Berger Yard.
Head of the Sergeant-At-Arms, Colonel Emeka
Okere (retd), said the tight security was part of
“proactive measures, which would be reviewed
from time to time.”
In a related development, the Nigerian Army has
beef up security at the headquarters of the 2
Division Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi
Cantonment, Ibadan, Oyo State.
When the Nigerian Tribune visited the Army
headquaters, on Monday, both vehicular and
human movements were subjected to series of
screenings.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS),
Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, has
donated a bus to the Nigerian Army Officers'
Wives Association for supporting their husbands.
The COAS said the donation was imperative,
because the women took care of the home, to
enable their husbands to perform their duties
effectively.
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