AS a way of stemming the growing security menace of the Boko Haram sect, the Federal Government is said to have approved the establishment of a new tact team within the Department of State Security Service (SSS), sources have confirmed.
Sources further confirmed that findings by the top brass of the administration further revealed the recruitment procedure of suicide bombers being used to prosecute suicide attacks so far carried out in the country.Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune confirmed that a fee of N10 million is being used as a bait to recruit each suicide bomber used in the attacks so far.
The Boko Haram sect has so far lost three of its suicide attackers in three different attacks in Abuja and Maiduguri.
While the first suicide bomber died in the attack on Force Headquarters, Abuja, the second was shot dead before he could ram his vehicle into the Police Command Headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno State three weeks ago. Another suicide bomber was involved in the blast at the UN House in Abuja. The attack has so far led to the death of 24 persons.
Sources confirmed that the government was already in possession of reports which indicated that the leaders of the Boko Haram sect had been paying heavily for services rendered by the suicide bombers.
It was learnt that apart from the indoctrination processes which the suicide bombers underwent, they were also assured of huge financial rewards for their families when they might have gone.
Though a source in the administration said that operatives were still working on some of the finite details uncovered during the recent arrest of a kingpin of the sect, it was gathered that the figure being paid out had been put in the region of N10 million.
A source quipped at the discovery: “The question that is being raised is what is the source of such funding? Why would somebody put down such money to take the lives of innocent people? What is the motivation for such venture? Is Nigeria fighting a war of independence?”
Sources further told the Nigerian Tribune that the State Security Service (SSS) appeared to have been hampered in years past by inability to enforce some of its findings and that the tact team would help in that regard.
It was also gathered that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could be called upon to provide some assistance as regards the funding processes and movement of funds.
The source added that following the threats, the armed forces procured some additional equipment to screen and search people and vehicles coming to their headquarters.
Meanwhile, detectives from the United States of America and the United Kingdom are working round the clock to ascertain the type of explosives that were detonated and the country where they are likely to have come from, just as armed forces have procured some additional equipment to screen and search people and vehicles coming to their headquarters.
Also, armed soldiers were positioned in all areas surrounding the armed forces operational headquarters, while only military vehicles were allowed into the premises.
The main road passing through the headquarters had been blocked from public use, as only the military and officers’ vehicles were allowed a pass.
A source told the Nigerian Tribune that the military had to put the additional security measure in place, because, “this is the operational headquarters of the armed forces and once any attempt is made, the military is finished.”
However, strong indications emerged in Abuja, on Monday, that following the recurring problem of insecurity occasioned by the Boko Haram menace, President Jonathan had succumbed to pressure to carry out changes in the top hierarchy of the nation’s security establishment.
Consequently, it was gathered that top security personnel, including those of the service chiefs and some apex intelligence networks in the country, would be relieved of their appointments as a result of the president’s dissatisfaction with excuses being offered for the lapses that resulted in the UN House bombing.
Top on the list of offices that might be affected, according to sources, was a retired four-star General who, it was believed, had failed to carry out a successful coordination of the security agencies.
While noting that the appointment of a new Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Sani Yakubu Audu, to take over from Major-General Babagana Monguno was along the line, the Nigerian Tribune was reliably informed that some of the service chiefs had spent more that 35 years in service, with two of them said to have passed the 56 years age limit.
It was further gathered that while one of the service chiefs could be eased out on age grounds, the other service chief was due for retirement on January 2010, but was saved by providence, following his appointment as a service chief in the last quarter of the year.
In another development, the management of the National Assembly, on Monday, placed the complex under tight security, following indications that the Boko Haram had named the complex as its next target.
The situation ensured that cars were not allowed into the Assembly complex, as only cars belonging to senators and honourable members were even made to park at the open yard outside the complex.
According to sources, other locations said to be targeted by the sect for bomb attacks included the headquarters of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), located at the Central Business District and the Central Bank of Nigerian (CBN) building, also in the Central Area.
Security personnel, including members of the Bomb Disposal Unit, were deployed in different locations in the complex, just as staff of the Sergeant-at-Arms joined in combing car boots and bags of any intending visitor to the National Assembly.
All vehicles entering the Assembly premises were first screened by the anti-bomb policeman stationed at the MOPOL gate, while they were further screened at the second gate and ordered to park at an open space called ‘Berger Yard.
Head of the Sergeant-At-Arms, Colonel Emeka Okere (retd), said the tight security was part of “proactive measures, which would be reviewed from time to time.”
In a related development, the Nigerian Army has beef up security at the headquarters of the 2 Division Nigerian Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan, Oyo State.
When the Nigerian Tribune visited the Army headquaters, on Monday, both vehicular and human movements were subjected to series of screenings.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika, has donated a bus to the Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association for supporting their husbands.
The COAS said the donation was imperative, because the women took care of the home, to enable their husbands to perform their duties effectively.Source; tribune
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