Kaduna bombing suspect ‘moved to Abuja’

 

 

Kaduna bombing suspect

The man who was suspected of attacking a building housing the offices of three newspapers in Kaduna last Thursday has been transferred to Abuja.

One of the bombs in the suspect’s car exploded, killing about four persons and injuring over 25 others.

About 11 gas cylinders and other improvised explosives devices (IEDs) were defused from the car he drove into the building that houses ThisDay, Daily Sun and The Moment.

The man was rescued soon after the attack by soldiers and policemen from a mob that wanted to set him on fire.

He was subsequently rushed to an undisclosed hospital, according to the Kaduna state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Jinjiri Abubakar, while his identity was revealed in Abuja by the Directorate of State Security Service (SSS) as one Umaru Umaru Mustapha from Borno state.

The police commissioner had in a press conference last week said the suspect sustained injuries and bled profusely, adding that if his condition did not stabilise, he would be transferred to a better hospital.

He also allayed fears of those doubting the suspect’s safety.

Our source said the man was in dire need of urgent medical attention.

The source, who craved  anonymity, told this correspondent that it was after a thorough review of the situation by the Nigerian Army intelligence, the SSS and the Police that it was resolved that the suspect be taken to Abuja, while the security agencies continue with their strategy of nipping in the bud all threats to peace and stability in the state.

The source said, “It was simple: the main aim has been achieved. He was caught alive, and his being here would be a distraction and he would need security attention,  so it became expedient that he be moved out of Kaduna for continued interrogation in Abuja since it can be achieved there.

More so, there were series of evidence found on him that will help investigation from there.”

When contacted yesterday, the police commissioner confirmed that the suspect had been taken out of Kaduna on medical ground.

He said: “He was moved out of Kaduna on Friday around 1am on health ground, after our consultation with the IGP. His condition was bad, and in Abuja there is the National Hospital with facilities to speedily aid his recovery.

“The only thing I will add is that let all citizens continue to be monitoring and watching over the activities going on. Their efforts will complement those of the security agencies.”

In a related development, the Kaduna state Police Command yesterday revealed that the number plate of the ash colour Honda Academy car AL 306 MKA used by Umaru Umaru Mustapha, the suspected suicide bomber, was that of the late Alhaji Kabiru Mohammed, alias Kamoh, who was killed on April 6, 2012 in Kaduna.

Mohammed, who was the owner of Kamoh Oil in Kaduna, was shot and his car stolen by unknown gunmen outside the house of the late Alhaji Adamu Yusuf, located at No. 25 Gwamna Road, last month.

It was also averred that the matter has been tabled before the Acting Inspector General of Police, who has instructed a thorough investigation.

Top police investigators are said to be carrying out the investigation to ascertain linkages and culpability of the suspect in the murder.

The Kaduna state police commissioner said no stone would be left unturned in efforts to unravel the linkages of the number plate to the Kaduna bombing.