Bomb Factories Explode In Kaduna, Yobe
Normal.dotm 0 0 1 640 3650 huhuonline 30 7 4482 12.0 0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false
Huhuonline.com http://Huhuonline.com/ can report that a house allegedly used as a bomb factory in Kaduna metropolis has exploded on Monday, injuring three occupants in Angwan Magaji, Malakali Area of Manda in the state.
In a similar development, an explosion also occurred same day, in another bomb factory behind the Emir's Palace in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, injuring suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, while others allegedly fled with various degree of injuries.
Kaduna state Police spokesman, Aminu Lawan who confirmed the story said that two AK47 and one Squeeze Machine Gun (SMG) guns were discovered adding that three persons have been arrested and are presently in police custody for investigation.
'We believed that the house is used for making explosives. The three victims killed by the explosives are also the suspects because they are the occupants of the house. The guns and cans used in making the explosives have been gathered while investigation is on-going', Lawan said.
Speaking to Huhuonline.com, a resident of the area, Abdulkadir Mohammed disclosed that the explosion started at about 1:25 pm on Monday. 'I was with the district head when it happened and they told me that bomb had exploded in our neighbour's house.
'When I came to the scene, I decided to call my village head; Isiaku Abdulwahab who also called the district head, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullwaha to the scene. We met three people with serious injuries and thereafter called the new barracks divisional headquarters in Kawo and handed the suspects to them,' he said.
Speaking further, Mohammed acknowledged that, 'The occupants of the two bed room flat where the explosion occurred had moved into the house not less than three months. We usually see some men coming out of the house. We've been praying here, but none of them have been joining in our prayers which made them very suspicious to us.
Another eye witness account and 35-year-old Maidala Ilu, whose house was also affected by the blast, said 'I was working in my house when I heart a sound. We then saw three people rushing out of the house like mad people. We followed them, caught them before the police and the army came and took them away.
'When the first explosion went off, I left for my house, which is about two kilometres away from this place and we were surprised to discover that explosives and guns are hidden in the house.'
For Musa Namando, a 60-year-old man and resident of the area, 'I heard a sound thinking it was a gun, before I came out of my house and saw smoke everywhere. I quickly asked my family to move away. Three people were seen running away but they brought them back and handed them over to the police,' he said
During interrogation, the owner of the house, Alhaji Aminu Yusuf revealed that he gave the house to an agent Abudulrashid for rent since July this year. 'The first occupant stayed for three years before these people came. He alleged that Abdulrashid who have been dealing with him for the past four years should know the people that rented the house. They were speaking Hausa and I don't understand Hausa.
Meanwhile, the district head of the area, Alhaji Aliyu Abdullwahab has described the incident as unfortunate, calling on the people of the area to report any suspicious person to the security agencies.
In a similar development, an explosion has occurred in a bomb factory behind the Emir's Palace in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital on Monday afternoon with suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect injured.
The state police Commissioner, Mr. Tanko Lawal who confirmed the incident said, 'an explosion occurred in a bomb factory in Damaturu at about 12 noon. Immediately after the blast, the Joint security personnel including Police Anti- Bomb Squad were drafted to the scene, which led to the arrest of one of the suspects.
Tanko disclosed that his men had discovered some explosives materials such as gun powder, Jerry cans filled with gas and chemicals, detonating wires, remote control gadgets among others in the house used for manufacturing explosives.
He further revealed that the injured suspect arrested has been taken to a hospital within the state capital, and that he is helping the police to track down some of the fleeing suspects but appealed to the general public not to panic, but to go about their normal businesses.