Suspected Suicide Bomber Arrested with Explosives in Banking Hall in Jos

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Suspected suicide bomber and student of Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, Benjamin Basil, has been arrested with explosives strapped around his belly in the banking hall of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Sparkling Junction, Dadin Kowa, Jos, Plateau State.

The suspect had made his way into the banking hall with customers of the bank when he presented a note to a cashier demanding the sum of N100 million under threat and warning that if his request was not granted, he would detonate the explosives.

The cashier immediately reported to the manager of the bank who promptly directed the security men to open emergency exit for customers to escape. He also called the Police at Rantya division close to the bank.

Realising that customers have started running out of the banking hall, the suspect joined them, but he was arrested by the bank security guards before he could escape.

But before the arrival of anti-bomb squad, angry mob and the bank security guards had descended on him. He was later handed over to the police who has now commenced investigation.

The bank staff member, who narrated the incident on the condition of anonymity, said he suspected that the explosives device was a fake one to have passed through the Mantrap door undetected.

Briefing journalists on the incident, state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, said the case is currently under investigation at the state CID, to ascertain the validity of the suspect’s claims.

He commended the citizens of the state for collaborating with the police and feeding them with accurate, timely and useful information that has helped in securing lives and property.