Boko Haram treathens to bomb Ibadan and Lagos on New year Eve

THERE was palpable fear in Lagos and Ibadan, Oyo State yesterday following threats by the dreaded extremist Islamic sect, Boko Haram to bomb churches in the states during serviceson the New Year eve, popularly referred to as Cross Over Night.
The fears of the Lagos residents have arisen on account of the alleged arrest of atrailer-load of suspected Boko Haram members at the Berger Bus stop, entry point into the state and commercial nerve-centre of Nigeria.
Investigations show that the suspects are all Nigerien indigenes. Though Police report, signed by its Lagos State image-maker, Samuel Jinadu, denied the report, claiming that the suspects were not members of BokoHaram
He, however, confirmed that the suspects were arrested and that nothing incriminating was found on them during a search. The Moment On Saturday gathered that the news of the arrest of the suspects later spreadlike wild fire causing panic in the nation’s economic hub.
Sources say the PoliceHigh Command in Lagos is in touch with the nation’s Immigration department for the immediate repatriation of the suspects of young men numbering more than 30.
Jinadu in his report, said the suspects are being held at the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja, pending the time a directive would be issued by the Police authority for their deportation.
However, an exclusivesecurity reports from security agencies made available to TheMoment On Saturday yesterday in Lagos alleged that the suspects could not give account of their destination.
‘On December 29, the police intercepted some suspected members of the sect said to be Fulani from the northern part of the country at the Berger area of the state as they were coming into the state’, the intelligencereport claimed.
Meanwhile, it was learnt that the sect had planned to disguise as masquerades and blind beggars to unleash terror in Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta on New Year Eve.
Besides, it was gathered that the sect also intends to disguise as cripples, insane, (mad people) or Okada riders, and hawkers to carry out the dastardly act.
The Moment On Saturday gathered that intelligence report revealed that the sect had threatened to bomb some specific areas inthe state, including the Third Mainland Bridge.
As a result, the Lagos State Police Command did not want to take any chances, hence, reports says it has its men and officers deployed across the state for surveillance.
The police commissioner, YakubuAlkali, has allegedly raised a special surveillance team as undercover agents who have been detailed to places of worship and other vital locations to protect lives and property.
The police has urged all and sundry to be security conscious at the various worship centres and be mindful of people whomight present themselves as beggars in order to fall victims.
As a fallout of this development, the Covenant Christian Centre, Lagos, has shifted its programme for security reasons, and will have its crossoverservice on January 1, 2012 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
In consonance with the current climate, most churches in Lagos have beefed upsecurity within and around their environs.
At the moment, stern looking policemen armed to the teeth and State Security Services (SSS) officers have been strategically deployed to some of the big churches ostensibly to forestallsecurity threats.
Speaking with last night, the Parish Priest, St Denis Catholic Church Bariga,Lagos, Reverend Fr. Dennis Oleru said there are lapses in the security of the nation and so the people are unduly exposed to danger, which is an ominous sign. Fr. Bernard faulted the government, which could not defend its territory from internalinsurgency.
He thereby advised the public, individually and collectively to be very careful and security conscious, above all believe and trust in God who is the sole defender andprotector from evil people.’
In addition, the Presiding Steward, Soul Winning Ministries, Rev. Dr. Moses M.K. Iloh, said the decision of the Catholic Bishop of Minna, Rev. Fr. Martin Ozuokwu to have cancelled the Passover Mass in Parishes in Kwanmba in Niger State was good.
He added that it is important Christians put our trust in God. He advised Christians to go about their businesses without fear or hindrance, admonishing that the battle is for the Lord.