30th June, 2012
An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on Saturday exploded under a bridge on Makera-Rim road, near Golhoss village in Rim District, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau state.
A statement by Capt. Salisu Mustafa, the Media Officer of the Special Task Force (STF) on Security in Plateau, said that “the pillar of the bridge is damaged but the road is still accessible.
“The explosion, which occurred in the early hours of the day, did not injure anyone.’’
Mustafa said that personnel of the STF and the anti-bomb squad promptly arrived at the scene only to discover another IED that had yet to explode, adding, however, that the device was instantly defused.
He, nonetheless, urged the people to be extra vigilant, saying that they should promptly report any suspicious objects, persons or activities to the nearest security agencies.
The police in their own version given by spokesman of the Command, Abu Emmanuel said:
“Today, at about 0200 hours, suspected terrorists went and planted bombs on a bridge linking Gol-Hoss and the headquarters of Riyom Local Government Area.
“Following a tip-off, a Police anti-bomb squad led by ASP Abel Mbibi, went to the scene and we were able to detonate and evacuate the bombs,” Emmanuel told NAN.
Emmanuel said that the detonation of the bombs was done without any damage to the bridge and that no casualty was recorded during the operation.
The spokesman said that no arrest had been made in connection with the incident but that investigation had commenced.
“Efforts are being intensified to track down the criminal elements behind the dastardly act,’’ he said.
Emmanuel said that the situation in the area and the state at large had been very calm and urged all law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful activities without fear as the Police and other security agencies were on top of the situation.
“The prompt response of the Police in this incident is a confirmation of the earlier assurance given to the good people of Plateau that the Police Command is fully prepared to protect lives and property of law-abiding citizens.
“But, again, the Police need timely and credible information from members of the public to help nip such dastardly situation in the bud as well as deal decisively with those bent on fomenting trouble on the Plateau.”
He appealed to members of the public to continue to collaborate and cooperate with the Police and other security agencies by volunteering credible and timely information to make them to be more proactive.
NAN reports that Riyom has witnessed some bomb blasts and constant rifts between Berom and Fulani herdsmen with many, especially women and children, murdered in cold blood.
Recently, a timed-bomb was planted at the Riyom market square before an 82-year old farmer, Gyang Dachom, who was attracted by a clock attached to it, and the turkey vegetable oil tin – the fuel for the bomb, which he thought actually contained the oil – took it home believing he had found a fortune.
Last month, another timed-bomb was planted in the market square and was timed to explode by noon at the peak of the weekly Riyom market but stopped working shortly after it was planted.
Only on Wednesday evening, a PDP chieftain, John Daring, his wife and son, were macheted to death while returning home from Rim market in the area.
Plateau Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Ayeni, recently decried the protracted attacks in the area, and declared that Riyom had become the albatross of security agencies.
The Federal Government had last month expressed concerns over the killings which heightened in recent weeks, and became a daily occurrence with several houses and food crops destroyed while thousands were rendered homeless.