CITIZENS COMPASS – Police in Plateau State has revealed the identity of a man attempting to detonate a bomb at a bank in Jos, the State capital on Monday.
The Operatives gave the identity as that of a young man schooling in one of the tertiary institutions in Plateau State.
According to a statement from the police command, the suspect who is currently being interrogated had tried to rob a bank at the Sparkling junction, Dadin Kowa area of the Jos South local government area of Plateau State with a fake explosive tied to his body.
Citizens Compass earlier reported that security operatives prevented a mob action on a man planning to detonate a bomb in a bank in Jos South area of the state on Monday.
Police said the suspect was Benjamin Basil, a Civil Engineering student who strapped himself with a fake Improvised Explosive Device (IED), holding two travel bags, gained access to the cashier, and demanded the sum of N100m or he would detonate the fake bomb.
However, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina confirmed the items the suspect strapped on his body have been analyzed and found to be fake.
He said, On 13th May 2024 at about noon, we received a distress call from UBA Sparkling Junction, Dadin Kowa, reporting a suspected armed robber who had entered the banking hall with suspected explosive devices tied around his body, and handed over a note to the cashier demanding for the sum of 100 Million Naira under the threat that the explosives would be detonated if his request is not granted.
“The bank attendant reported to the Manager of the bank who swiftly reported to the Police at Rantya Division and evacuated the customers from the bank. On sensing danger, the suspect tried to run away but was apprehended with the help of the youths. The items on him have been analyzed by our experts and found to be fake. The case is under investigation at the State CID.”
However, the suspect claims he is a “victim” as he was kidnapped by unknown persons close to his house near the Police Staff College and forced to carry out the act or be killed.
On 7th May 2024 at about 3 pm, a report was received from the Wase Divisional headquarters, reporting that sometime in February 2024, one Danladi Vennim, male, while on his way to Jawando Village was attacked by armed hoodlums who snatched his Boxer motorcycle on gunpoint.
“On receipt of the report, our team of Policemen led by the DPO Wase division immediately commenced an investigation into the matter.
“Consequently, one Suleiman Mohamadu male, 26 years old was arrested in connection to the armed robbery incident. Exhibits recovered from him include one locally fabricated AK47 rifle with one round of 7.63mm. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the crime.
