The Kano State command of the State Security Service (SSS) yesterday paraded a middle-aged man, Ayuba Usman, who was arrested for alleged possession of over 35 drums of highly inflammable chemicals suspected to be used in making improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other locally manufactured bombs.
The highly combustible chemicals along with other explosive substances were seized from the suspect following an intensive investigation by security agents that led to his arrest in Kano metropolis.
The state’s SSS director, Mr. Bassey Eteng said the suspect was arrested in an undisclosed market on Tuesday, following a tip-off by some concerned members of the community.
He added that the suspect was found through investigations to have close links with some extremist elements. “We have been following this situation very judiciously and painstakingly to be able to arrive at what is happening,” he added.
Bassey said that security had been beefed up in their effort to hunt down terrorists in the state by trailing their activities and movements in order to make the state safe for all.
He said based on statements made by high-profile suspects “we were able to know that the suspect, Ayuba Usman, has been providing chemicals to the extremist groups which they have been using to make explosive devices”.
Bomb Scare at Lagos Airport Causes Heavy Traffic
Meanwhile, travellers and workers had difficulty finding ways into the local wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos yesterday as operatives of the anti-bomb squad, the police and security personnel of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), managers of the MMA2 Terminal, conducted a search on all vehicles to MMA2 terminal building with metal detectors as a result of a bomb scare.
Some passengers, especially those who had flights to board in the early hours, had to trek some distance to the terminal building in order not to miss their flights following the heavy build-up of vehicles to the airport.
Eyewitnesses said there was heavy traffic jam as the anti-bomb squad attached to the local wing of the airport had to rely on the BASL security metal detectors to carry out their checks on the horde of vehicles that ply the airport.
In a telephone interview, the police commissioner in charge of the airport, Mr. Olatunji Caul Crick, said the exercise became imperative due to security reports received by the command which indicated a possible bomb attack at the busy facility.
Caul Crick said it is a normal routine as the police will not leave anything to chance in ensuring a seamless travel experience for airport users, affirming that the police have been ordered to carry out checks whenever the need arises.
The checks led to heavy traffic jam on the airport access road that stretches up to about a kilometre into the Ikeja axis of the airport.
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Source: Leadership
