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Security agencies uncover source of Boko Haram’s explosives

•How sect looted quarries in Bauchi, Borno, Gombe Written by Taiwo Adisa Tuesday, 21 February 2012

INVESTIGATIONS into the nature of explosives used by Boko Haram operatives in

recent bomb blasts detonated across the country have confirmed that the sect secured

most of the explosives from its raid from construction companies in four states, Borno,

Bauchi, Gombe

and Sokoto.

Sources told the Nigerian Tribune that investigations carried out by a combined team of

security agencies, including the State Security Service (SSS) and the police, have

confirmed that most of the explosives used by the Boko Haram sect in its recent

operations were looted from warehouses of construction companies in the four states.Some loyalists of the sect were said to have carried out the alleged theft of the deadly

explosives called Type C4 last year when they raided stores of some quarries located

in Sokoto, Borno, Bauchi and Gombe states.

It was gathered that the Type C4 explosives are usually deployed in blasting huge

rocks and are said to be “very deadly.” 

A source stated that following the discovery of the situation, security agencies in the

country have now made it mandatory for quarries to receive prior permission before

carrying out any activity.

Sources also disclosed that most of the quarries whose explosives were stolen by

Boko Haram’s men failed to report the incidents but only sacked their security men.  

Said a source in the know: “There has been a breakthrough on the source of 

explosives used by the sect members of Boko Haram in their deadly attacks in recent

times. It has been discovered that last year, some of their men were responsible for the

theft of explosives from many quarry companies in Borno, Bauchi, Gombe, and

Sokoto.” 

The source stated that rather than report the development to security agencies, thecompanies affected merely sacked their supervisors and security men as a way of

covering up the development.

“The companies affected covered up the incidents by only sacking the supervisors and

some security men on duty during the attacks, because of the fear of reprimand from

government. Unfortunately, such raids have now left dangerous explosives called Type

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C4 in the hands of the sect members. The explosives, known as the conventional Type

C4 and used to blast rocks, are regarded as very deadly,” another source said. 

Sources further confirmed that the security agencies have now placed an embargo on

quarry activities in all states of the country and that quarries and construction

companies are now required to obtain strict permission before embarking on rockblasting.

They are also to ensure that security agents are present before they carry out any

blasting.

“As a result of the developments, quarries are now mandated to secure permission and

also ensure the presence of security agents before blasting. Anyone that fails to do so

is liable to prosecution. Besides that, those companies that failed to report the theft of

their explosives are already being investigated,” a source stated.