11-year-old ‘potential suicide bomber’ arrested

The Nigeria army says it has arrested an 11-year-old suicide bomber at an internally-displaced-persons camp in Borno state.

According Sani Usman, army spokesman, the suspect is on the list of wanted Boko Haram kingpins.

“Vigilant troops of 7 division garrison providing security at internally displaced persons (IDP) camp, Dalori in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Borno state yesterday, Tuesday afternoon, apprehended an 11-year-old boy, Master Usman Modu Tella, a potential suicide bomber,” Usman said in statement on Wednesday.

“He is suspect number 82 on the poster containing the photographs of 100 wanted suspected Boko Haram terrorists released by the Nigeria army. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was from Bama town and is  among 4 other children trained for suicide bombing by the Boko Haram terrorists.”

He further added that the three others had already carried out their missions at different locations, while his own job was to do same in the camp sometime in the future.

“The boy also pointed out one other Boko Haram senior member, Alhaji Kerewu Abubakar at the camp.

“It will be recalled that due to the concerted efforts of the military quite a number of towns and villages hitherto held by the Boko Haram terrorists were liberated, this brought about an unprecedented influx of IDPs to the camp which the terrorists took advantage and infiltrate in order  to wreck more havoc among the society. The case of these suspects clearly indicated this point hence the need for proper screening of all IDPs with a view to ascertain their true identity.

“The apprehension of the suspects is a boost to the fight against terrorism and insurgency in that they were assisting with investigation that would lead to the arrest of more suspected terrorists in the camp and elsewhere.”