Written by Our Reporters
STRONG indications have emerged that bomb experts in the armed forces are now convinced that the bombs being used by the Boko Haram sect are being manufactured locally.
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Expert sources in the military revealed that the notion that the bombs were imported had been ruled out, as some locally made devices were being put together to manufacture the explosives.
The source said that as investigations continue on the bombing of Louis Edet Force Headquarters and the United Nations building in Abuja, evidence gathered so far had been collated to show that the suicide bombers take time to plan and carry out surveillance before going for their suicide mission.
According to the source, "we are closing in on them, as we have been able to unmask their modus operandi and their bases, and very soon, Nigerians will hear the details of what has been happening."
Nigerian Tribune gathered authoritatively that the planners of the attacks are very wealthy, as suicide attacks are capital-intensive. Those behind it buy very clean second-hand or even brand new cars, settle the families of those to go on the suicide mission, so it is not something anybody can just dabble in."
The source said some of the odd things people disregard, such as fertiliser used for agriculture, can be gathered with other devices to make explosives.
Also, the bombers also take time to organise their operations, as the planners spend a lot of money to carry out surveillance to know key installations or government agencies where security is not tight before embarking on the suicide mission.
The source added: "You can see, because the armed forces have gathered all intelligence reports about their plans to bomb the Defence Headquarters, that is "The Boat House." That is why you can see the tight security measures now in place, and they know that they cannot try it."
According to the source, after an attack, the bombers would study the situation and watch. But when they see that tension is dying down and security is relaxed, they strike again. All this information the armed forces have now put together in their intelligence reports."
Nigerian Tribune also gathered that the UN House bombing which took place last month has given a lot of clues to the security agencies, which are now ready to confront the suicide bombers.
No fewer than nine people died and over 48 others injured in the UN House bombing last month, while some of the serious cases were flown abroad for further medical treatment.
Meanwhile, students, staff and visitors to the University of Ibadan and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, have continued to groan in pains, as the authorities have beefed up security, following a message from the Boko Haram sect threatening to bomb institutions of higher learning in the country.
On Tuesday, some students of the University of Ibadan complained of too much rigorous screening by the internal security personnel of the institution.
When the Nigerian Tribune visited the school, the screening was slow and, as such, there was a long queue of visitors and students waiting to be searched and allowed to enter the school premises.
The screening of motorists going into the institution led to heavy traffic on the Secretariat-University of Ibadan and Ibadan-Oyo roads.
Some of the visitors who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on the situation lamented the delay being experienced at the institution's entrances.
According to them, the time used on a particular entrant by the security personnel was too much and this often led to "unnecessary delay."
Nigerian Tribune learnt that the ongoing examination in the institution was being carried out under tense atmosphere, especially with the presence of security personnel.
It was gathered that there was fear that bombing could take place where many people were gathered.
Mr Adekunle Lawal, who expressed surprise at the attempt by some people to bomb the institution, said the rigorous screening became worse when the internal security personnel could not detect those who might want to come with bomb into the institution.
He said the school authorities ought to have contacted the Nigeria Police for necessary support and action.
He said the police had the equipment to detonate bombs and their presence at the institution would have positive impact.
The institution's Public Relations Officer, Mrs Joke Akinpelu, said nothing had changed as the screening of both people and vehicles had continued unabated.
She described the checking as a normal routine exercise aimed at checking the influx of "unwanted visitors into the school."
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor Elijah Bamgboye, had told newsmen that it was true that a threat message was sent by people who did not want Western education.
He said that the writer of the message had threatened to descend on the institutions that spread Western education.
According to him, the writer specifically mentioned University of Ibadan for attack between September 12 and 17.
He said considering experiences, the university authorities decided not to take it lightly, "so we met and decided that some measures be put in place because we do not want to wait for them to strike."
In another development, security has also been heightened at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, following the threat by a faceless group to attack tertiary institutions across the country.
At the main gate leading to Road One on the campus, vehicle owners were made to alight and open their car booths for a thorough check of the contents by the university's security men.
There was another layer of security check manned by regular policemen. The checks were, however, brisk as there were many security officials involved in the pre-emptive exercise.
Some apprehensive female staff members were heard praying that the weapons of the terrorists be deflected, if ever targeted at the campus.
Also, visitors to the University of Lagos, Akoka, were, on Tuesday, subjected to a thorough search by the security officials.
Security operatives were strategically positioned at the university campus, while students carried out their academic assignment with fear.
Unlike in the past, motorists were asked to declare the items inside the boot of their cars, while pedestrians were physically and psychologically assessed before allowed entry into the campus.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the security operatives said "we don't want to take chances. In order not to be caught unawares, that is why the university authorities had put in place necessary security measures to curtail the activities of the Boko Haram."
Aside from the security staff of the institution, men of the Nigeria Police were also involved in the protection of life and property in the university.
Authorities of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) were not taking the threat by the Islamic fundamentalist sect lightly, as they had been working round the clock to safeguard the over 37,000 population of the institution against any hostile nation.
Nigerian Tribune learnt on Tuesday that though the institution was yet to receive any specific threat that could be called official, there were feelings that the institution might rank high among those pencilled in for attack.
Describing feelings within the administration of the institution, spokesman for UNIPORT, Dr William Wodi, said they were not ready to "take chances on the life of over 26,000 students and more than 11,000 workforce," adding that the security alert had been raised to red on the campuses of the institution.
The Boko Haram threat has also made universities in Osun State and other tertiary institutions to step up security measure at checking those who go in and out of the institutions.
The presence of policemen was noticed at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, while security operatives at Fountain University, Osogbo and the Osun State University subjected people to check before they were granted entry.
Reacting to the threat, Professor Hussein Oloyede, Vice Chancellor, Fountain University, said "we are aware the Boko Haram wants to bomb some universities. Whether it is here or elsewhere, the issue of security goes beyond what we are thinking. If the sect can go to the police headquarters in Abuja and succeeded in bombing it, then is the fate of an ordinary university."
In OAU, Ile-Ife, it was gathered that anti-bomb unit of the police had been engaged to comb the premises of the institution, to ensure bomb was not planted anywhere.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the institution, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed the fear being nursed by some members of the university community, but said the university management was on top of the situation.
At the Osun State University, security men were also seen at the gates of the main campus and the five satellite campuses in Ifetedo, Ikire, Ejigbo, Okuku and Ipetu-Ijesa.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Sola Akinrinade, could not be reached for comment as he was said to have travelled out of the state.
At the University of Ilorin, the authorities said it had embarked upon pre-emptive security measures, in collaboration with other securituy agencies in the country.
Investigations conducted by the Nigerian Tribune round the varsity campus showed that private security personnel were stationed in virtually all corners of the institution.
It was also gathered that vehicles which did not belong to staff of the institution working at the Senate building had been barred from entering the building, which was described as the second tallest building in the state.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the director of information in the institution, Dr Mahfouz Adedimeji, said the university had always believed and operated based on pre-emptive security measures, adding that it was part of the reasons it remained one of the peaceful institutions in the country.
Meanwhile the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has promised that the state government will provide the necessary support for the state police command in its efforts at combating crimes and other vices to ensure effective policing of the state.
The governor said this while reacting to a charter of requests by the state command, during a familiarisation-cum-condolence visit by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 11, Osogbo, Alhaji Saidu Daya.
Governor Ajimobi pledged that the request of the state command for operational vehicles and communication gadgets to enhance mobility and operational capability of officers and men of the command would be looked into by his administration.
He commended the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Moses Onireti, for the way he had, so far, handled the menace posed by members of the outlawed National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) since he assumed duty, describing the union as a spoke in the wheel of safety in the state.
Reacting, Alhaji Daya, while dismissing the alleged bomb scare of the Boko Haram sect in the University of Ibadan as a rumour, urged members of the public to furnish the police with report of any suspicious movement by persons or groups, stressing that effective security required the collective efforts of all.
