Who is terrorizing Lagos State residents with Boko Haram?

Emeka Ibemere

The unsavoury rumour of last two weeks in Lagos Island, over the rumoured attempt to bomb the business district area of the Nigeria’s commercial hub is one, too serious.

  That day, business deeds were disrupted on Lagos Island following an alarm that an explosive had been planted in a market on the popular Nnamdi Azikiwe Street.

Alarmed by the news, traders and residents ran helter-skelter to opposite direction for fear of being caught in the web.

Reports had it that the material suspected to be a grenade was discovered in front of a company along Nnamdi Azikiwe Street. Another report also claimed that the chemical substance was programmed to explode in three hours time from the time it was planted by unknown persons.

According to another account, the substance was noticed after a man had finished giving alms to beggars around the area, after which he advised them to immediately leave the place before he sped off.

Because of its metropolitan nature, calls and text messages were sent to loved ones to avoid Lagos Island while the ones on Island were trying to escape the area

It was gathered that in the melee, some policemen attached to banks around the area allegedly advised people to vacate the scene.

During the panicky moment, a foreigner was reportedly seen attempting to go to the barricaded area but an official of the Central Business District, CBD, and apprehended one Kareem Saidi said to be a foreigner from Sudan. However, the Lagos Police Command described the alarm as hoax.

Spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Ngozi Braide, stated that there was no bomb at the Island, explaining that when the substance was taken for analysis by officials of the Anti-Bomb Unit, it was discovered to be a sealant (industrial glue). She, however, appreciated the person that raised the alarm, saying it showed that Lagosians were being security conscious. According to her, there was nothing like bomb in Lagos. She declared. “What happened was that some people saw an object abandoned on the floor and alerted the Police. We deployed operatives from the Anti-Bomb Unit who went to the scene, cordoned off the area, got the bag and took it away for analysis, where it was discovered not to be a bomb after all. There was nothing suggestive of combustive substance”, she said.

 “It was discovered to be a sealant. They are used in industries and for fixing ships when there is leakage. Lagos is safe. There is no cause for alarm.”

A trader at Idumota, who refused to give out his name claimed that the news of the explosive really affected traders around Idumota market.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Ngozi Braide, while speaking on the incident, commended the people for their vigilance but denied that it was explosives.

Perhaps, this is not the first alarm of Boko Haram in Lagos State. Investigations have shown that last two weeks, alarm was the fifth rumours or reality concerning the Boko Haram presence in Lagos State. However, isn’t out of place to suggest that there are no plans by the goons of the Islamic sect, otherwise known as Boko Haram not to try to enter the state but grave concern is every day invitation by the Lagos State residents to on their own called for the unwholesome activities of this cult of death on the soul of Lagos State, one of the most populated cities in the South-West region of Africa.

Few months ago, there was a report on an attempt by a 26-year-old-suspected suicide bomber to blow up a church in Ikorodu area of Lagos, but the attempt was foiled following his arrest.

The development threw residents into panic as news of alleged infiltration of the Boko Harm’s sect into Lagos spread.

The suspected suicide bomber, identified as Olasunkanmi Ismail, reportedly scaled through the fence into Methodist Church at Ita-Elewa area of Ikorodu about 7.30 am, to carry out his evil intention

It was reported that some eagle eyed neighbours reportedly alerted the church’s security men, who afterwards held the suspect. A search conducted on him, revealed a can covered with a paper on which was scribbled ‘open in case of emergency’ was found in his pocket.

During interrogation, Ismail, who claimed he was sent to plant an explosive on the church’s premises, refused to disclose the identity of his patrons.

A mob which gathered in front of the church attempted to lynch him, but was prevented by the church’s presbyter, Rev. Mathew Ogunsiji, who invited policemen from Ikorodu Division.

When the Anti-Bomb -Squad arrived the scene, a search was conducted round the church’s premises and the suspect was whisked away by policemen from Ikorodu Division.

Speaking with newsmen, Rev. Ogusiji said the suspect was found hiding somewhere near the graveyard, adding that his attempt to escape was foiled by the church’s security men.

 “We were scared when he said he was sent to plant a bomb in the church. We then contacted the Commissioner of Police, who sent a team of anti-bomb squad to a search the premises but said they did not discover any bomb. This has sent a signal to us to improve on our security system which we hope to do.’’

Spokesman for the Anti Bomb Explosive Ordnance Disposal, EOD, Mr. Gbolahan, said it was a mere bomb scare.

According to him, “The issue is no issue, but just a scare. When our men were informed, our EOD technicians got there and discovered a bottle covered with an inscription, ‘in case of emergency.’

“The men applied EOD procedure and swept the entire church premises, but did not find any bomb. There is no cause for alarm”. He assured Lagosians to go about their legal businesses.

Mr. Gbolahan Moronfolu also said the phenomenon was expected due to the incessant bombings in the country. He urged members of the public to prevent suspicious- looking individuals from staying within their vicinity.

On March 16, 2012, Ikeja residents and commuters ran into confusion as soon as news of a bomb supposedly planted near Awolowo House broke filtered into their ears.

However, the fear of Boko Haram has become the beginning of security consciousness in Lagos, especially with the serial deadly bomb blasts on daily basis in some northern states of the country. So for the Lagos State residents, their fears are welcomed but not when a pure water sachet exploded as a result of a car tyre running on it.  It is a fact that the insurgence of Boko Haram attacks which has left thousands of people dead has sensitively raised the fear of Nigerians, not just the ones living in the north.

Though, there hasn’t been any recorded bomb blasts in other states, except during the era of Niger-Delta militant insurrection, residents of other states are still concerned that the Boko Haram, has the audacity to penetrate into other parts of the country, considering the all time-low security situations in the country.

It would be recalled that last year, four men suspected to be members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect were allegedly arrested in Lagos.

The men, Sulaiman Alli, Abdul Saniyu Sadu, Sulaimon Alimi Adeniyi and Abdul Hakeem Abdulrahamu were arrested while allegedly distributing the sect’s pamphlets at the Lagos abattoir, Oko-Oba Road, Agege. Reports stated that the suspects, had the symbolic Islamic long beard and dressed in the typical Islamic clerics’ attire and were busy creating awareness for the sect when on a tip-off, policemen from the Abattoir Police Station arrested them.

The suspects speaking fluent Yoruba language, with one of them carrying Yoruba tribal marks on his cheeks, were later transferred to Area ‘G’ Police Command, Ogba, where they were detained.

It was further learnt that the suspects were later transferred to the State Anti-Vice Section of the State Police Command, GRA, Ikeja, for further investigation.

Police claimed that some of the pamphlets found on them were highly provocative.

Two lawyers were quickly drafted to secure their bail at Area ‘G’, but that they were not granted the bail as the case had already been transferred to the Anti-Vice Section of the State Police Command, Ikeja, and Lagos.

Last year, another gang was said to have been arrested in various parts of Lagos and Ogun states, after fleeing the military intervention in some parts of the North. The suspects were allegedly paraded at the headquarters of the 81 Division, the then General Officer Commanding (GOC), Gen. Obi Umahi, said they were seized during raids done in conjunction with intelligence operatives following plans by the sect to unleash terror in parts of the Southwest.

One of the suspects, Ibrahim Abubakar Bori, was alleged to have said they took part in several major operations in Borno State, where several military personnel and civilians have been killed since the insurgency started in 2009.

“We were involved in several major operations in Maiduguri, where several security agents and civilians were killed. “I and some others here were recruited by Mallam Hassan Ibrahim.”

Ibrahim, 22, admitted recruiting some of the suspects and disclosed that he went with Ibrahim Ismaila and Alhaji Black to kill a soldier and a man described as Buka. He said: “We rode in a tricycle and it was Alhaji Black that pulled the trigger. “I met both Ismaila and Alhaji Black in Lagos, while I was riding Okada. We all went to Maiduguri, where we carried out some operations.” However, some of the suspects denied being terrorists, alleging that they had been in Lagos for many years.

Black, who was indicted by Ismaila, said he had been staying in Lagos for about five years, riding Okada (commercial motorcycle). He said the army came to Kirikiri to arrest some suspects and he was taken along with them.

The Army said the raids were conducted at Ibafo trailer park and Ileke new trailer garage in Ogun State; Aviation Quarters at Mafoluku, Oshodi; Ketu/Mile 2 Motor Park; Orile Trailer Park; Lekki new extension and Bar Beach, which are fast becoming Boko Haram terrorist enclaves.

Not done yet, security agents March 14, last year raided Ijora Badia, Lagos following intelligence reports, which led to the arrest of over 14 suspected Boko Haram members. The suspects were said to have disclosed during interrogation, their planned massive attacks on Lagos, with designated 16 landmarks slated for simultaneous bomb blasts.

Reports said the foiled attack was the second time. The three suspected Shiite sect members were arrested in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, with the allegation that they had plans to bomb Israeli and America’s interest in Lagos.

The group was alleged to have planned attacks on the Lagos offices of the U.S. Agency for International Development; the Haifa-based ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Limited and the Jewish Cultural Centre.

Also in June, the same year, another rumour of army arresting about 15 Boko Haram suspects at various parts of the metropolis was also in the air. It was reported that most of them were arrested at Ijora Badia and Kotankowa areas and were handed over to security agencies.

Other times, the popular Third Mainland Bridge was also rumoured to have been targeted by the Boko Haram insurgents. The security and intelligence community chiefs that talked about the vigilance that prevented the planned attack of Lagos also failed to disclose to the public the magnitude of weapons the Boko Haram had deployed for the failed operation and the main target.

The report said the deadly weapons were uncovered, from the arrested bombers and that their main target was the strategic Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

According to revelations the attackers clandestinely conveyed the weapons to Lagos inside some of the numerous fuel tankers that ply major roads Lagos

It was learnt that the Lagos State authorities, including the governor, were shown the illegal arms that the security and intelligence community’s inter-agency co-operation confiscated.

But in all these rumours, security agents in Lagos State have always waved the rumours aside as figment of alarmists’ imaginations.

Ogbalu Joseph, a businessman in Idumota said soon, and if care wasn’t taken it would from rumour, change to reality.

“Please, these alarmists should spare us with their satanic rumours and let us be. At the same time, Lagos State residents and everyone should becareful and watchful because these are perilous times in the country”, Ogbalu said.

Another commentator, a new generation bank staff on Broad Street on condition of anonymity also blames the police for the rumours. According to him, the state harbour rumour mongers and it thrive in Lagos. He said because there was no serious legal action against rumour mongers, people work on it and spread it like wildfire. Jude Komolafe, a teacher in Lagos also accused the police of such rumours. He disclosed that the police could do anything possible to make money out of lies.  According to him, police could tell any lie to cover their blatant disregard for the rule of law. Mrs. Uche Adorah, a boutique owner said every Lagos State resident must take with a bag of salt any comment heard about Boko Haram in Lagos from the Police and people.

“When I read the title "Boko Haram Members Arrested In Lagos!", I was 99% sure that whatever security agency that identified them must have distorted the facts to suit their nefarious character and to sound appealing to the multitude of simple-minded Nigerians who ask very few questions and believe anything the uniformed-gang utters about the Boko Haram sect”, one commentator stated.