Local people set suspected Boko Haram bomber alight in Gombe as he plants explosive
Posted in
No comments
By Max
VIGILANTE self-help opposition to Boko Haram has continued to gather pace across northeastern Nigeria with an irate mob lynching a suspected bomber try to detonate an explosive in the city of Gombe yesterday. Over the last fortnight, local vigilante groups made up of hunters and civil defence groups have been taking on Boko Haram, driving them out of cities such as Maiha, Chibok and Mubi. In contrast to the actions of the Nigerian Army whereby soldiers have fled upon seeing the terrorists, local people have stood their ground and engaged Boko Haram, killing hundreds of them in the process. Yesterday, a major bombing was prevented in Gombe when a suspected would-be suicide bomber was accosted at a bus station in the city. He was stopped as he tried to get into the bus station in the Gombe State capital, where at least eight people were killed in a series of blasts at the same location last month. Abdullahi Kudu, the Gombe State police commissioner, said: “There was a scuffle and he was overpowered by the onlookers who pounced on him in order to assist in making sure his bag was searched. Mob action overtook the event but we thank God he was not able to detonate the explosives because he had a remote device that was recovered.” A bomb disposal team was later called in to make the explosive safe. According to Mr Kudu, the man's bag contained five rocket-propelled grenades, two mortars, two cylinders and five detonators. Eyewitness Badaru Alkali said locals put a tyre around the man’s body, set it alight and watched from a distance. He added that the man's body then exploded as he burnt and no one else was hurt in the blast. At least eight people were killed and 34 injured on October 31 when explosions rocked the same bus station during the morning rush hour. According to the police, three suspects were arrested for allegedly planting the bombs, which were concealed in bags. The trio came from neighbouring Yobe State, which is one of three northeastern states under emergency rule because of sustained Boko Haram violence. Tuesday’s lynching came after one of Nigeria’s most powerful Muslim leaders, the Emir of Kano, gave his public backing to vigilantes fighting Boko Haram and urged others to form civilian militias.
