Boko Haram’s Bomb Maker Arrested In Potiskum

A man identified as Ba’na, who is suspected to be manufacturing explosives for Boko Haram has been arrested in North-East Nigeria, a senior police officer told AFP on Tuesday.

The suspect, whose bombs were said to have been used in series of suicide attacks recently, was held in the Arikime area of Potiskum after several weeks of surveillance, the officer, who was involved in the Sunday arrest said.

“He confessed to being responsible for the manufacturing of the explosives used in at least three suicide attacks and the car explosion outside the divisional police station,” the police officer, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said. He described the suspect to be in his mid-thirties.

Potiskum has been one of the hardest hit cities in the north east, by Boko Haram bombings in recent months, including a suicide attack on a secondary school in November 10 in which 58 people were killed.

Among several attacks, the commercial capital of Yobe State, on January 18 was again hit by the terrorists. At least four people died in the attack on a bus station, while the previous weekend, two women wearing suicide vests killed six people at a market.

Nine alleged accomplices of Ba’na were also arrested in a hideout in Potiskum, hours after his arrest.

The suspect was said to have moved to Potiskum from the state capital, Damaturu, three years ago and worked as a stonemason and water vendor before getting married.

“He was quite good at his disguise and his mason and water vending jobs gave him perfect cover,” the officer said.