SUSPECTED FEMALE TERRORIST ARRESTED IN MAIDUGURI WITH BOMB IN FOOD FLASK

IT was a defeat of the power of evil secrecy Thursday as security agents arrested a suspected female suicide bomber who would have blown up the General Shuwa Memorial Hospital, Maiduguri and killed the health workers and the patients they labour hard to treat.

The suspected bomber, a fairly old woman, who was said to have been confronted first by the hospital’s security guards, was arrested after it was discovered that she hid an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in a food flask she was carrying.

According to the hospital authorities, the suspected terrorist disguised as a relation of a female patient who had come to present food at the maternity ward. But when she was stopped at the gate to open the two food flasks she was carrying before she could be allowed to proceed to the ward, she refused to open one of the flasks.

One of the hospital’s security guards narrated the story to journalists: “When she was asked to open the other flask, she refused, swearing that she will not open it. Our security guards have to call the soldiers at a military post to ascertain whether or not the flask contains any explosive. Three minutes after, the bomb detector beeped for some seconds, indicating the presence of an explosive device, and the old woman was immediately whisked way by the military personnel to an unknown destination for further interrogation and investigation.”

On the identity of the suspect, he said that when the woman was asked about her place of residence, she responded that: “I am an old woman from Chibok town, and I wanted to deliver food to one of my relations admitted here in this hospital.”

Three hours after the arrest of the suspect, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) patrolling the airport road also arrested two Boko Haram suspects near the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) base and the Airport Roundabout by 2.31pm.

“The two suspects boarded a tricycle and taxi from the Tashan Journey near the 333 Nigerian Army Artillery, before they were intercepted by our members here at this check point in Gomari ward. They attempted fleeing, but we had to stop them from fleeing from the vehicles, and God was on our side to recover a rifle and a pistol hidden under their jeans pants,” said Yusuf Bala, brandishing a cutlass that assisted him in the arrests.

He said the fleeing Boko Haram insurgents from last Monday’s attacks in Damaturu, are infiltrating Maiduguri to hide and possible launch attacks in the metropolis

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“Our job was to patrol all the nooks and crannies of Maiduguri with stop and search of all vehicles moving in and out of this city. These arrested suspects had been handed over to soldiers in our sector for further interrogations and investigation,” said Bala.

A source in the Borno State Police Command also yesterday told The Guardian that two terror suspects were arrested by the CJTF in Gomari ward, including an old woman allegedly carrying explosives in a food flask at one of the hospitals in Government Reservation Area (GRA), Maiduguri.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Oyegun has attributed the nation’s security challenges to the failure of the PDP-led Federal Government to provide purposeful leadership.

He said insurgence were left unchecked for several years which eventually turn the northern part of the country to a warfare field expressed regret that the country could hardly boast of quality chain of intelligence gathering to counter unabated restiveness.

Oyegun who led the national leadership of the APC on condole visit to governor Rabiu Musa Owankwaso over last Friday multiple attacks on the Kano Central Mosque, announced donation of N5 million to Kano State to assist the victims of the attack.

He alleged that those who are entrusted with the protection of lives and properties are acting in a way and manner that can be described as connivance.