*The magnifying spectre of a sustained insurgency
*Time for real negotiations?
By Jide Ajani, Taiye Obateru (Jos), Henry Umoru (Abuja), Luka Binniyat (Kaduna), Okey Ndiribe (Abuja) and AbdulSalam Muhammad (Kano)
The danger is clear and present
When a fortnight ago, the American and British governments issued a terror alert, the response from the Federal Government of Nigeria can best be described as lame. That was not the first time. The government, through its Information and Communication Minister, Labaran Maku, said such alerts coming from America and Britain would only serve to further instill fear in the citizenry; that such do not in any way help to bring calm.
But if calm was what the federal government was expecting, the Jamaatu Ahlil Sunna Lidawati wal Jihad, otherwise known as Boko Haram, had its own grand design.
The story started some three weeks ago when officials of government boasted that the activities of Boko Haram would be terminated by June, 2012.
The group came out, via a Youtube video, to scuff at government's boastfulness. The group warned that it did not like the way media houses were misrepresenting its side of the story and that it would strike.
Therefore, when last week, the peace of the land was shattered via the bombings in Jos, Kaduna, Kano and Abuja, the group sent a clear message to those in government that it is more coordinated that government officials think, or would want Nigerians to believe.
But what may be emerging now, especially in the wake of last week's bombing is that Boko Haram is very co-ordinated. Some have had cause to question the veracity of the claims by government on the successes recorded against members of the sect and the sect's activities.
One thing, however, that can not be denied – even by those in government – is that the group is far more sophisticated and entrenched than most people would want to admit.
Even the attempt at dialoguing with members of the sect, a move that created a controversial life of its own, was reportedly bungled by the self-same government.
Perhaps vindicating the earlier position of the sect members that it did not trust government's move, it was disclosed by Alhaji Datti Ahmed, the middle-man for the engagement, that government sold him out. In an attempt to interview Alhaji Ahmed, Sunday Vanguard was made to understand that the time for an interview was not now. The elder statesman politely turned down the request for an interview, insisting that "I do not want to talk about it, please".
The refrain of President Goodluck Jonathan has always been classic and standard: "We shall deal with these people", "Boko Haram would soon be a thing of the past" – these are statements that President Jonathan has been making since last year. Worse, it was when the sect members stepped up its activities that the government of Nigeria made the very first efforts to tray some policemen who were alleged to have been involved in the extra-judicial killing of Mohammed Yusuf, the sect's founder.
While the JTF was claiming victory for capturing a bomb factory in Kano, a clear response came from the group the following day with an explosion opposite a military barracks along Katsina Road.
(http://vml1.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ThisDay.jpg?9d7bd4) (http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/thisday-sun-the-moment-bombed/thisday-3/)File photo: The THisday bomb attack - The scene at the ThisDay office after the bomb attack Inset: A young victim of the attack. Photos: NAN & Gbenga Olamikan. But the events of last week remain fresh: Below are synoptic recapitulations, including Boko Haram's explanation for the bombings as published by an online medium:
JOS: Bombing at a viewing centre
There was a blast last Tuesday night at a television viewing centre in Tudun Wada area of Jos, the Plateau State capital some minutes to the end of the Chelsea-Barcelona match.
The improvised explosive device which went off at Angwan Yashi about 9.45pm was said to have injured several people. An eyewitness said he saw some of the injured being taken to hospital but could not give details as he said he took to his heels after the blast.
The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dipo Ayeni, later confirmed that one person died from the blast. The deceased was one of those rushed to hospital where he later died. He also confirmed the killing of five people in the attack on a village in Riyom LG describing it as unfortunate coming shortly after he held a peace meeting with Berom and Fulani community leaders of the area.
Meanwhile, the Plateau State Government has ordered the arrest of three community leaders for their suspected roles in the series of attacks on villages in some local government areas of the state. Commissioner for Information, Mr. Yiljap Abraham who briefed journalists at the end of the emergency security meeting on Wednesday described the killings as unfortunate and expressed the resolve of government to bring it to an end.
KANO: Bomb factory uncovered
The Joint Military Taskforce in Kano that same Tuesday morning claimed that it had captured another bomb factory at Haye, a suburb of Hotoro Arewa quarters of Nasarawa local Government area of the municipality.
The two bed-room building which was converted to bomb factory by suspected members of dreaded Islamic sect is neatly tucked within an isolated area of the slum.
The effort by the military came on the heels of an upsurge in the targeted attack on military personnel and checkpoints in the city.
JTF spokesman in Kano, Lt. Ikediche Iweha, while conducting reporters round the captured hideout amid tight security Tuesday morning explained that the bomb factory was taken without resistance.
Lt. Iweha revealed that two housewives and an un-specified number of children were rescued from the house, adding that the focus of the JTF assignment in the city was designed to prevent civilian casualty.
He stated that "we have been on the trail of this particular house for sometimes now and we feel last night was apt for the operation, so we mobilized men and equipments, and stormed the factory by 2.00am"
The Army spokesman lamented that though a number of arrests were effected but the principal suspect was not at home at the time of the operations.
Items recovered from the bomb factory included assorted IED's, primed drum, assorted containers, liquid substance, charcoal, household items and Osama Bi laden video titled "Dead at Last".
Lt Iweha commended the Kano people for assisting the JTF in its fight against terror assuring that "we would continue to treat your information with utmost confidentiality".
The JTF spokesman however assures Kano residence that the bomb factory and other incriminating materials will be destroyed, as stern looking military personnel backed by two APC itches for action.
Explosion at Dantata Quarters
An Improvised Explosive Devise exploded at Dantata quarters office opposite Army barracks along Katsina Road Wednesday evening in Kano.
The incident that occurred around 8.30pm, triggered pandemonium and halted commercial activities at the nearby Mamy market.
Eyewitness account told Sunday Vanguard that the explosive was neatly tucked in a drainage around the Dantata Estate.
Another recovery
And in the same Kano, Police claimed it recovered abandoned high caliber explosive materials worth N9m.
Kano Police Command said it recovered abandoned high caliber explosive materials worth N9million by the roadside at Rijiyar Zaki along New Campus of Bayero University Kano. The shocking discovery was made barely 24hours after JTF claimed it discovered and destroyed a bomb factory. The explosive material, Tetro Nitro Toluent and PETN weighed over 300kilograme, was abandoned by the roadside by yet to be identified persons for two days before a good Samaritan reported to the police.
Kano Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris told reporters in Kano that a team of Explosive Ordinance personnel were deployed to the scene, adding that preliminary investigation revealed that the high caliber material is used by "terrorists" to make can bombs and other handy IEDs.
ABUJA: The deadly bombing of ThisDay Office
THURSDAY, April 26, 2012 started just like other ordinary days in the nation's capital city, Abuja. Residents went to work to begin the day in their various offices.
The Abuja staff of ThisDay Newspapers, like other Nigerians in Abuja, got set for the day's job – stories to pursue, deadlines to meet, meetings to hold.
But all that were shattered a few minutes past eleven o'clock when news went round the city, that book Haram had once again beaten the security machinery of the federal government by bombing the office of ThisDay Newspapers on Solomon Lar way, off Obafemi Awolowo Road, Jabi District of the federal capital, Abuja.
Immediately after the fact of the bombing, men of the Police Force, Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps, NCDSC, Fire Service, FCT VIO, Special Anti Robbery Squad, Bomb Disposal Squad, Anti Terrorists Squad, Department of State Security Service, SSS, Nigerian Red Cross, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, among others, swung into what an observer described as "belated action". Vehicular movement came to a halt from the junction of Eternol Oil to Conoil and Utako Motor Park, which is directly opposite the ThisDay office.
Immediately the news went out, Nigerians trooped to the scene of the very ugly incident to catch a glimpse of what happened. Two staff of ThisDay newspapers died along side the suicide bomber. Many more were injured. Nigerians at home and around the world were horrified, shocked, and infuriated by the blast because the target has shifted from Police Stations, Churches, and government offices to media houses.
It was gathered that a suicide bomber drove in a Prado four wheel vehicle to the premises of ThisDay, without rigorous stop and search.
The damage was massive; the building was literarily brought down, windows, glasses shattered; papers, newspapers, littered the floor; shattered doors, too, littered the premises. Buildings and shopping complexes around the newspaper house were equally affected with their windows shattered. Buildings almost four to five kilometers from the scene of the blast also experienced tremor-like vibrations.
The Prado which was used for the suicide mission was burnt beyond recognition – the pieces were removed by Security agencies.
Besides the destroyed office, vehicles belonging to staff of ThisDay and packed outside also had their windscreens shattered. A Toyota Sienna LE with registration number AW 349 RSH, Nissan pick up with number NY 17 KJA; Hyundai, staff bus with number DV 811 SR; another Hyundai(staff bus) with registration number DF 318 FST; Honda Accord, DD 957 FST; Volkswagen, blank plate, were affected by the blast.
As at 11.57am, the first vehicle owned by the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps with registration number C.D1033 drove out with injured persons.
According to an eye witness, ''I was over there at that Jabi second gate chatting with friends when we heard a loud noise.
The explosive sound lasted for seconds. When we turned, we thought it was this plaza, pointing to a building some tens of metres from the ThisDay Office; we discovered it was ThisDay. When we came we saw many human parts on the ground.
We cannot even recognize the people that were there and the vehicle that was used cannot even be recognized. When it first happened I think not less than 15 people were affected but after some minutes the place was full of injured people. The man who drove the vehicle died on the spot because we saw his chopped off hand.
(http://vml1.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/bomb-kaduna.jpg?9d7bd4) (http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/04/azazi-blames-bombings-on-2015/bomb-kaduna-2/)The scene of the bomb blast at ThisDay office, SOJ Plaza, Kontagora road Kaduna Thursday Photo by Olu Ajayi Another eye witness who spoke with Sunday Vanguard said, "I was in the next plaza trying to get something, the next thing I heard was a massive sound coming with a lot of destruction; the noise was so loud that glasses were falling from windows and from the plaza people were jumping down leaving their shops.
"I ran down stairs, I even stepped on somebody's mangled hand, I did not even know until when people started coming back to the building and I joined them and started taking pictures of the mangled bodies on the ground. When I got to where it actually happened I saw two bodies and body parts.
"The car that caused the explosion was a jeep, I did not see the car when it entered, but the mechanics that work next to the building said it was a jeep, a black Prado jeep. It was a suicide thing.''
Also speaking about his experience, a circulation assistant, Samson Oliver, who explained that he worked throughout the night and decided to sleep, said that he was sleeping and suddenly got aroused from his sleep when he heard the sound of the bomb. He said four of his colleagues and two cleaners were affected.
Speaking at the scene of the incident, Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olusegun James Okebirun noted that the impact was serious.
Answering questions from Journalists, Chairman, ThisDay Editorial Board, Segun Adeniyi said, "as you all can see, our office was bombed about two hours ago and two of the security men died, the suicide bomber of course died, and then five of our support staff are injured, those are the casualties and they have been taken to the hospital.
"You can see that the front gate has been locked, and we put a vehicle there, there will be full briefing on that later, the gate at the back too was also locked, the security men were there, the suicide bomber came in a Jeep, they opened for him, we can't ask the security men now because they are dead, so we can't find out why they opened the gate, the guy entered with his vehicle and rammed the vehicle into the gate.
"This is a newspaper house, we have just printed and there are a lot of support staff, there are some advert people and those in the newsroom, fortunately, the newsroom is a bit far from the back, all the people in the newsroom especially the advert people are all safe.
"I don't know about the security report, we are all in the media, we know that there are threat to the media generally, maybe there were some instances of warnings or whatever, but I think we will get to all that later, there is no need to go into all that now.''
On whether there was a coordinated attack against the backdrop that while Abuja's bomb blast was taking place, there was also another attack on ThisDay, Kaduna office, Adeniyi said, "I don't believe in speculations, the security men are here, they will get to the root cause of what happened later.
On conflicting figures of casualties that they are up to 35 feared dead, he said "It is not true, I will not lie to you, I am telling you about the number, for now, there are two dead.''
One of the earlier callers at the scene was former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai Mallam Nasir El-Rufai who said, ''It is very very sad, I am very shocked at this, those that write and report news are not the problem, I don't know why anyone will like to kill people like that, it is so sad and unfortunate.''
Also commenting after his visit same Thursday, former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who condemned the act and called for ceasefire, said, ''It is regrettable, and the only thing we can do is to plead with the people behind this to please stop it for the sake of our dear country. Now that the media house is being touched, that has even greater consequences and that is why I have personally come to see whether I can commiserate with my brother, Nduka Obaghena.
''But more than anything else, I just want to add my humble voice to the voice of other Nigerians that whoever is behind this dastardly act should please stop it for the sake of our children, for the sake of our future, for the sake of our country.''
Shortly after Gbenga Daniel left, the National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Mohammed Garba, led members of his executive to commiserate with the management of the newspaper and stressed the need for more vigilance and security by operators of the industry.
According to him, ''I am here to sympathise with my colleagues in this media organisation, it is really unfortunate that such incident is happening to the media and this has further confirmed that Journalists are not safe, our media houses are not safe.
"There is the need for the security agencies to be more proactive, owners of media houses must intensify security in their premises. Our members as Journalists must also be security conscious and NUJ as a body is assessing the situation and at the end of it all, we are going to address a press conference, then our position will be made.
Also very busy with his men was the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Aderele Shinaba, who, while speaking with Journalists, said, "first and foremost, we have come to save lives, evacuate the injured people to the hospital, a kind of rescue mission and that we have been doing and controlling the crowd to avoid more casualties and to prevent people from coming to loot while we are in charge of the entire premises."
A walk through the premises of the media house revealed that the main building housing almost all the departments in the organization's Abuja office was devastated by the blast. The steel gate at the rear entrance into the premises and a nearby tree were uprooted and blown away by the blast. Indeed, four of the huge pillars carrying a concrete arc and the steel gate are likely to collapse any moment as they had been weakened by the impact of the blast. On several occasions last Thursday, security personnel and others who were involved in rescue operations within the premises had to run for their dear lives as the shattered pillars swayed dangerously indicating they would collapse in no distant time.
Also burnt by the explosion was a massive electricity generator which was positioned about 10 feet from the blasted gate.
Clearly visible at the scene of bomb explosion was the heap of scrap metal which the vehicle driven by the suicide bomber had been reduced to. Bits and pieces of the vehicle were blown to all parts of the premises like shrapnel.
It was learnt that the suicide bomber had rammed the vehicle into the rear entrance of the building and the resulting explosion had ruined the printing machine and other equipment in the printing hall. The remains of machines lay on the floor like a massive heap of mangled steel. The roof of the building was also pulled out and torn to shreds. The scene looked very much like that of a building which was bombed by an aircraft in a war scenario.
KADUNA: Explosion kills three, injures 8 outside ThisDay office in Kaduna
*Bomber arrested, taking treatment under our custody – Police.
A strange twist of fate saved three media offices in a two storey office complex on block A9, Kontagora Road, Kaduna, when a man crashed a car laden with explosives against the wall of the complex around 11:20 am yesterday, but did not detonate.
After coming under severe pressure, the bomber opened the bonnet of the car took out one of the Improvised Explosive Devices (EIDs) and flung it over the gate of the complex where it landed and exploded. It killed three curious onlookers and injured eight according to eyewitnesses who spoke to Sunday Vanguard in Kaduna.
But the Police said only one person was killed.
The Police also confirmed the arrest of the bomber, saying he was in their custody taking treatment for injuries he sustained, ostensibly from the battering he got from the mob that first apprehended him.
When Sunday Vanguard arrived the scene of the bombing fifteen minutes later, on the busy kontagora road which formed part of the Kaduna Central Market, the Police and soldiers were battling to keep off an unruly throng that was determined to push through the barrier barring members of the public from reaching the scene of the bombing from both ends of the street.
This is the complex where ThisDay, The SUN, and The Moment Newspapers chose as their Kaduna Offices.
Fire fighters were battling to put off fire from a burning car with registration number Kaduna, A1 – 306 – MKA by the parking lot. The car was said to be Honda car used by the bomber.
The man was shouting that a bomb would soon explode
Ismail Omipidan, North West Bureau Chief of Sun told reporters about his experience when he arrived for work Thursday morning: "I was driving to the office. Normally, I come through Katsina Road Roundabout, through the back, but this very day I just decided that I should pack by the road side at the Ahmadu Bello Way because I was heading somewhere. In fact I was actually traveling out of town, so when I came into the office premises, I saw a young man being beaten.
And I saw my circulation man beckoning. I also saw my landlord. I knew it had something to do with my office. The suspected bomber drove a Honda car into the premises according to the people I asked.
The man even came out of the car and was shouting that a bomb will explode any moment, and the people held him and told him to go and remove the bomb. It was at this point I called the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Aminu Lawan, and immediately after I called him, I took motorcycle to Magaji Garin police station. I told the police that people are beating a young man close to my office who is suspected to be a bomb carrier, and that they should go there on time so the people should not kill the man. So as I was coming with the police to the scene, the man was forced by the people to remove one of the bombs from the car, and as soon as he removed it, he threw it on the ground and it exploded immediately and three people died on the spot. In the milieu, the bomber disappeared; the people started looking for him. After some minutes some people went into the back doors, and they were able to get him, and police came and took him away. When police took him away, some youths started stoning the office. I don't know what their quarrel was, but I heard one of them saying that we refused to call the police on time.
So out of anger, one of them decided to set ablaze the bomber's vehicle. But before the vehicle was set ablaze, we told the police that we are suspecting that there are more bombs in the vehicle, but the police did not go near the vehicle until when that young man went in and set the car ablaze. While the car was burning, we saw two gas cylinders, and by the time we moved away from there, one of the cylinders exploded. So it was one of the youth that set the car ablaze.
We left the premises before it finally exploded
According to Thisday circulation clerk, Mr. Monday Emmanuel who was in the office at the time of the incident, the bomber parked the car and started shouting saying that the car will explode.
"It was around 11:00am when Shehu (office help) ran up to tell us that we should run. He said there is bomb within the premises and we should run.
"At first we thought he was joking, but we noticed that he was dead serious. So we ran for our dear lives. We left the premises before the bomb finally exploded.
"The bomber was pursued by people around the neighborhood, he was caught and he was beaten seriously. Everybody along the street was gripped by fear and confusion"
He was chanting "laila inlala u . . ." Jamil Abubakar, 22, traditional drycleaner.
"I came here to visit a friend when this thing happened.
"A man drove a Honda car very dangerously into the office complex. I was coming from the other end. I saw it. He crashed on the wall. He came out of the car and started chanting, "laila inlala u" . He started shouting, 'bomb! bomb! bomb! People ran towards him and grabbed him.
They started beating him.
They said he had to show them the bomb. He was well beaten. He was taken to the car. He opened the bonnet of the car and quickly took what looked like a bomb to me. It looked like it was manufactured. I was a bit far. But I saw when he flung the bomb over the gate of the complex and it fell on some of the people waiting outside to see what was happening. It exploded with a loud bang. I ran away. Fire started because some cars and motor bikes caught fire. I came back and saw three corpses. I counted them they were three
"In the commotion that ensued, the man that came with the car, escaped and hid in some part of the complex. But angry youth combed the place and found him.
"They again beat him very severely. I am surprised he did not die. The Army and Police later arrived and rescued him.
"Some youths, still burning with anger, poured petrol on the car and burnt it". The fire you are seeing from the car was not caused by the explosion. It was people that set fire to the car"
Kaduna twin blasts: Police confirm 3 dead 25 injured
"The man is a tall, hefty very black man. You can tell that he is strong person, by the way he still struggles with his chains even when not fully conscious. We chained him to his bed. We chained his hands, his legs and waist. I have also put a formidable security to ensure that he cannot escape nor be rescued.
But he was really injured because you need to see the amount of blood he lost. They injured him on his legs. He has a gash on his head and hands. They were at the point of lynching him when we arrived, because they have already brought the tires which they would put on his neck and set him ablaze. From what I am seeing, he may need blood transfusion. But he is still strong.
Doctors are seeing him every 15 to 20 minutes. We want to make sure that he survives.
"I want to use this opportunity to praise that gallantry of the three people that died. They were among those that apprehended him. They were those that made sure he faced the law. I would recommend that the Kaduna State Government compensate the families of the deceased.
"Let me say it here. The man is not an Igbo man. That is what some people are already saying. He is not an Igbo man. We don't want to reveal his identity at this point.
"The two people at Unguwan Muazu were taking the bomb somewhere. We still do not know where. They are receiving treatment at the 44 Army Referral Hospital, Kaduna.In all a total of three people were killed. 25 injured. The injured are at various hospitals in Kaduna receiving treatment.
"I wish to hereby affirm that the ban on the movement of Okada from 9pm to 6am will be religiously imposed. Please tell the public to respect this directive to avoid problems with the law.
"I also want to call on the people of the state to be very vigilante and report any suspicious person or movement".
Why we struck, by Boko Haram
The Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, popularly known as Boko Haram, says it attacked This'Day, on Thursday, to send a strong message to the media that it would no longer condone reports misrepresenting it, or blaming it for acts it knows nothing about.
Abul Qaqa, spokesperson for the sect, told Premium Times, in an exclusive interview, that his organisation was fed up with the deliberate misinformation being peddled about it in the Nigerian and foreign media."We have repeatedly cautioned reporters and media houses to be professional and objective in their reports. This is a war between us and the Government of Nigeria; unfortunately the media have not been objective and fair in their report of the ongoing war, they chose to take side," Qaqa said. He identified three instances where he claimed his group was deliberately misrepresented by the media.
The first, according to him, was the rumour of his capture by the Nigerian intelligence agencies.
"Some reporters are aware that I am Abul Qaqa, they know my voice through our long interactions and they also know the role of Abu Darda who heads the enlightenment committee and sometimes facilitates interviews; yet they (media) go by the unsubstantiated view of government that Abul Qaqa is in custody and I am the new spokesman or number two," he said.
Premium Times had continuously reported that Abul Qaqa was not arrested contrary to reports and that it was Abu Darda, another member, that was arrested.
The second misrepresentation, according to Mr. Qaqa, was the reporting on the kidnappings of foreigners in the Northern part of Nigeria.
"Another issue was the recent kidnappings in the North; we were clear with our position as a group during a teleconference with reporters but we were shocked the next day when newspaper headlines added a lot of things, which I never said during that interview."
The third example, Mr. Abul Qaqa said, is the mistranslation of the video the group posted recently.
"Another example is the recent video posted on YouTube by our Imam; I challenge every Nigerian to watch that video again. There is no place our imam either said he will crush President Jonathan or issued an ultimatum to the government in Nigeria; but nearly all papers carried very wrong and mischievous headlines."
When asked why ThisDay appeared specifically chosen for the attack, Mr. Qaqa said ThisDays "sins" are more grievous.
"It is not only ThisDay that has been engaged in negative media campaign, fictional stories and constantly promoting fake stories by the JTF to give an impression that they are making headway against us yet there is no time the media investigated further as an objective and responsible bystander in this war.
"But the sins of ThisDay are more," he said.
"They once insulted the Prophet Mohammed in 2001 and we have not forgotten. They recently said our Imam executed me, which is false. Here I am speaking to you. I am alive and healthy."
Expect more media attacks
The group's spokesman further warned of more attacks on the media.
"We have just started this new campaign against the media and we will not stop here. We will hit the media hard since they have refused to listen to our plea for them to be fair in their reportage," he said.
Mr. Abul Qaqa also said his group would give further information on biases by the media.
"In the coming days, we will give details and instances where the media have not been fair to us and why we are going to attack them as well."
Media should be neutral
The media in Nigeria are not a problem to us if they will do their job professionally without taking sides," Mr. Abul Qaqa said.
He said: "But each time we say something, it is either changed or downplayed. But when our enemy says something, even without logical proof, it is blown out of proportion."We have repeated asked some reporters to retract some stories or even give us the right of reply but none of these requests were given to us."
Vanguard Nigeria