9th February, 2012
The Army has tightened security at the 1 Mechanised Division, Kaduna following an attempt by suspected members of the Boko Haram to bomb the barracks on Tuesday. Visitors to the barracks were disallowed entry by soldiers posted to the entrance of the division.
PM..NEWS gathered that authorities at the barracks got wind of the planned bomb attack by the Boko Haram sect two days before the suicide attempt.
Though the Army Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Edun, declined to speak on the issue, sources within the barracks hinted that the soldiers had been briefed on the planned attack before the suicide bomber arrived. He added that he was surprised that the bomber was allowed to move past the first gate.
“We were ordered to prepare and observe any suspicious movement around our formations. That was why we shot the suicide bomber when he tried bomb the 1 Division headquarters,” the source disclosed.
Tension still pervades the army barracks and other security formations in Kaduna when P.M.NEWS went round the Kalapazin, Dalet, Kotoko and NDA barracks. Soldiers disallowed our reporter and others from entering the barracks.
Investigations also revealed that security had been beefed up on all roads leading to the barracks, police stations and other security formations within the metropolis.
A combined team of armed soldiers and policemen mounted guard at major roads and carried out checks on both passengers and vehicles.
—Femi Adi/Kaduna