Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Cross River has arrested a 31 year-old woman, Mrs Aniebet John, with three suspected Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) in Cross River State.
The Commandant of NSCDC in the state, Mr Samuel Fadeyi, who paraded the suspect at the command’s headquarters on Tuesday in Calabar, said the suspect was arrested on June 25 with the three explosives including three connecting components.
According to him, the suspect was arrested in Akamkpa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state while trying to waybill the explosives to an un-identified source in Obubra LGA of the state.
“The lady was trying to send the device she had sealed in a nylon bag to Obubra LGA. We all know in Cross River as at now that Obubra LGA is exclusive because of the conflict between Nko community in Yakurr LGA and Onyadama in Obubra local government.
“Sending explosives through public transport is illegal, hence we had course to intercept this lady who said she was sent by somebody to send it to another person.
Fadeyi further disclosed that NSCDC operatives were on the trail of the other suspects also involved in it but now at large. According to him, investigation carried out by the command revealed that the suspect’s husband was a blast master who works in a construction company.
He explained that the suspected explosives were some of those used in one of the construction companies in Akamkpa which the husband might have smuggled. He further said that the command would transfer the matter to the Department of State Service for further investigation.
“As a corps, we have a unit called the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Unit which makes us familiar with some of the explosive in their packages.
“When explosive moves, the National Security Adviser knows about it.
The National Security Adviser informs the security agencies about the origin, route and destination so that we can keep track of it and ensure they are used for the purpose.
“This explosive device is capable of causing more harm to humans and properties if detonated,” he said.
He advised residents in the state to be vigilant about their safety and to report any suspected person or groups of persons around them to security agencies.
Speaking to newsmen, the suspect said that her husband, who gave her the suspected devices to waybill to someone in Obubra local government. She further claimed that she had no further knowledge of the device aside what the husband used it for at the construction company where he works.
“This is the first time my husband would be sending me to do this kind of waybill’’, she said.
