Army refutes claims of Boko Haram attack in Benin
– The Nigerian army has dismissed
speculations that the explosions on Tuesday, February 2 in Edo
state were caused by Boko Haram members
– Brigadier-General Farouk Yahaya, commander of the 4 brigade command in Benin, said the explosions were caused by a resident who set fire to a pile of refuse
– Yahaya also confirmed that an improvised explosive device from an abandoned building might have added to the explosions
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims that the multiple blasts which took place on Tuesday, February 2 in Edo state were caused by the dreaded Islamic sect Boko Haram.
The blasts which took place in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the state injured two persons and destroyed four buildings.
Responding to the claims, Brigadier-General Farouk Yahaya, commander of the 4 brigade command in Benin, said witnesses at the scene can attest to the fact that the explosions were not an attack from the dreaded sect.
Benin explosion: I thought I was in hell – victim (photos)
He made this statement as he addressed members of the press on Wednesday, February, 3 in Benin city.
According to Daily Post, the explosions of Tuesday, February 2 which took place at 41, Sakponba road, Benin started after a resident in the neighbourhood reportedly set fire to a pile of waste.
Sources say one of the buildings affected in the blast was previously used by suspected kidnappers who have since deserted it following military presence after a security lead.
According to Farouk Yahaya, the explosions are obviously not a terrorist attack as some military operatives have been to, investigated the scene of the incident and confirmed this.
He said to the newsmen gathered: “By my assessment and by that of others, it is obvious (that) it is not a terrorist attack. It is not an attack on this place.
“The people around here can bear witness; we do not think it is an attack. Perhaps, you can describe it as an accident or something that was buried there that has maybe exploded.”
Yahaya said of the deserted building and its former occupants: “Sometimes, they can be kidnappers, armed robbers or even cultists. Based on information, we conduct what is called cordon and search, to search an environment or a place we suspect.
“But I am not in a position to say what was there two years ago. But what we saw suggests that whoever was there was having the material (IEDs) you saw.”
He added that the raid ensured the criminals fled the building hence forgetting to carry along the improvised explosive materials.
Multiple explosions rock Benin City (photo)
“Probably they keep them there to use when they need them. But when they were raided, they abandoned the place and did not remember to carry what they left. And thank God they (criminals) they did not carry them. If they had, they would have used somewhere else.”
– Brigadier-General Farouk Yahaya, commander of the 4 brigade command in Benin, said the explosions were caused by a resident who set fire to a pile of refuse
– Yahaya also confirmed that an improvised explosive device from an abandoned building might have added to the explosions
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims that the multiple blasts which took place on Tuesday, February 2 in Edo state were caused by the dreaded Islamic sect Boko Haram.
The blasts which took place in Ikpoba-Okha local government area of the state injured two persons and destroyed four buildings.
Responding to the claims, Brigadier-General Farouk Yahaya, commander of the 4 brigade command in Benin, said witnesses at the scene can attest to the fact that the explosions were not an attack from the dreaded sect.
Benin explosion: I thought I was in hell – victim (photos)
He made this statement as he addressed members of the press on Wednesday, February, 3 in Benin city.
According to Daily Post, the explosions of Tuesday, February 2 which took place at 41, Sakponba road, Benin started after a resident in the neighbourhood reportedly set fire to a pile of waste.
Sources say one of the buildings affected in the blast was previously used by suspected kidnappers who have since deserted it following military presence after a security lead.
According to Farouk Yahaya, the explosions are obviously not a terrorist attack as some military operatives have been to, investigated the scene of the incident and confirmed this.
He said to the newsmen gathered: “By my assessment and by that of others, it is obvious (that) it is not a terrorist attack. It is not an attack on this place.
“The people around here can bear witness; we do not think it is an attack. Perhaps, you can describe it as an accident or something that was buried there that has maybe exploded.”
Yahaya said of the deserted building and its former occupants: “Sometimes, they can be kidnappers, armed robbers or even cultists. Based on information, we conduct what is called cordon and search, to search an environment or a place we suspect.
“But I am not in a position to say what was there two years ago. But what we saw suggests that whoever was there was having the material (IEDs) you saw.”
He added that the raid ensured the criminals fled the building hence forgetting to carry along the improvised explosive materials.
Multiple explosions rock Benin City (photo)
“Probably they keep them there to use when they need them. But when they were raided, they abandoned the place and did not remember to carry what they left. And thank God they (criminals) they did not carry them. If they had, they would have used somewhere else.”
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